leopard

[ lep-erd ]

noun

1. a large, spotted Asian or African carnivore, Panthera pardus, of the cat family, usually tawny with black markings; the Old World panther: all leopard populations are threatened or endangered.
2. the fur or pelt of this animal.
3. any of various related cats resembling this animal.
4. Heraldry. a lion represented from the side as walking, usually with one forepaw raised, and looking toward the spectator.
5. Numismatics.
   1. an Anglo-Gallic gold coin issued by Edward III, equal to half a florin, bearing the figure of a leopard.
   2. a silver Anglo-Gallic coin issued by Henry V.
6. Leopard, Military. a 42-ton (38-metric ton) West German tank with a 105 mm gun.

leopard

/ ˈlɛpəd /

noun

1. Also calledpanther a large feline mammal, Panthera pardus, of forests of Africa and Asia, usually having a tawny yellow coat with black rosette-like spots
2. any of several similar felines, such as the snow leopard and cheetah
3. clouded leopard
   a feline, Neofelis nebulosa, of SE Asia and Indonesia with a yellowish-brown coat marked with darker spots and blotches
4. heraldry a stylized leopard, painted as a lion with the face turned towards the front
5. the pelt of a leopard

Derived Forms

• ˈleopardess, noun:feminine

Word History and Origins

Origin of leopard¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English leopard, labarde, lebarde, from Old French leopard, lebard, leupard, from Late Latin leōpardus, from Greek leópardos, syncopated variant of leontópardos, equivalent to leonto- (stem of léōn ) + párdos; lion, pard ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of leopard¹

C13: from Old French lepart, from Late Latin leōpardus, from Late Greek leópardos, from leōn lion + pardos pard ² (the leopard was thought at one time to be the result of cross-breeding)

Example Sentences

It was wild; there were crazy prints — plaids, leopard spots — in my favorite colors.

From Los Angeles Times

Make your way to La Jolla Shores Beach, where you can swim with leopard sharks measuring up to five feet long.

From Los Angeles Times

Matthew Smith captured a striking split image of a curious leopard seal beneath the Antarctic ice, using a custom extension he designed for his camera's underwater housing.

From BBC

Ashbourne is also in thrall to her character, who has a tough exterior but a lust for life - and leopard print.

From BBC

The sheets are a tasteful leopard print.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cheetah
• panther