potto

[ pot-oh ]

noun

, plural pot·tos.

1. a small arboreal mammal, Perodictus potto, in the loris family, similar in appearance and behavior to the kinkajou and olingo: classified as the sole species in its genus, but its subspecies are significantly varied.

potto

/ ˈpɒtəʊ /

noun

1. a short-tailed prosimian primate, Perodicticus potto, having vertebral spines protruding through the skin in the neck region, native to tropical forests in West and Central Africa: family Lorisidae
2. golden potto
   another name for angwantibo
3. another name for kinkajou

Word History and Origins

Origin of potto¹

First recorded in 1760–70; from a Niger-Congo language, perhaps Wolof pata “tailless monkey,” or Twi apɔsɔ “fierce monkeylike animal”

Word History and Origins

Origin of potto¹

C18: of West African origin; compare Wolof pata type of tail-less monkey

Example Sentences

“I don’t know if it’s true. Eduardo at the bank swears that his brother saw a document with a government seal on it discussing patria potto tad. But who knows?”

From Literature