panther

¹

[ pan-ther ]

noun

, plural pan·thers, (especially collectively) pan·ther.

1. the cougar or puma, Felis concolor.
2. the leopard, Panthera pardus.
3. any leopard in the black color phase.
4. a very fierce person.
5. Panther, Military. a 43-ton (39-metric ton) German tank of World War II with a 75 mm gun as its main armament.

adjective

1. fierce; strong and violent.

Panther

²

[ pan-ther ]

noun

1. Black Panther.

panther

/ ˈpænθə /

noun

1. another name for the leopard, esp the black variety, which is known as the black panther
2. any of various related animals, esp the puma

Word History and Origins

Origin of panther¹

First recorded before 1000; from Latin panthēra, from Greek pánthēr; replacing Middle English pantere (from Old French, from Latin ) and Old English pandher (from Latin )

Origin of panther²

First recorded in 1965–70

Word History and Origins

Origin of panther¹

C14: from Old French pantère, from Latin panthēra, from Greek panthēr; perhaps related to Sanskrit pundarīka tiger

Example Sentences

In one of the fall’s most delightful picture books, a sad black panther feels unseen and unloved because he is so plain next to his big cat cousins’ stripes and spots.

From Los Angeles Times

"We're not changing the Florida panthers in any way to make them more or less susceptible to diseases," he says.

From Science Daily

Three lions and a panther were also reported to have died of the virus alongside 47 tigers since August.

From BBC

Participants could choose from five tattoos he sported in that 1991 drama, including a panther and the phrase “Time the avenger.”

From New York Times

I felt like I was climbing into a cage with a panther.

From New York Times

Related Words

• cougar