serval

[ sur-vuhl ]

noun

, plural ser·vals, (especially collectively) ser·val.

1. a long-limbed, nocturnal African cat, Felis serval, about the size of a bobcat, having a tawny coat spotted with black: now rare in many former habitats.

serval

/ ˈsɜːvəl /

noun

1. a slender feline mammal, Felis serval, of the African bush, having an orange-brown coat with black spots, large ears, and long legs

Word History and Origins

Origin of serval¹

1765–75; < New Latin < Portuguese ( lobo ) cerval lynx, literally, staglike (wolf ) < Late Latin cervālis deerlike, equivalent to Latin cerv ( us ) stag + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of serval¹

C18: via French from Late Latin cervālis staglike, from Latin cervus a stag

Example Sentences

Among them was that of a leopard, an ant bear, and a serval cat.

From Project Gutenberg

The Serval is a spotted cat—black upon a pale-yellowish ground—and considerably larger than the domestic species.

From Project Gutenberg

With a convulsive wriggle the serval made a last attempt to bury its fangs in its victim's neck.

From Project Gutenberg

There is the small serval of Africa, and the ocelot, all too well known to need a description.

From Project Gutenberg

Till one day there came a leopard and fought with the serval and killed him.

From Project Gutenberg