ocelot

[ os-uh-lot, oh-suh- ]

noun

1. a spotted leopardlike cat, Felis pardalis, ranging from Texas through South America: now greatly reduced in number and endangered in the U.S.

ocelot

/ ˈɒsɪˌlɒt; ˈəʊ- /

noun

1. a feline mammal, Felis pardalis, inhabiting the forests of Central and South America and having a dark-spotted buff-brown coat

Other Words From

• oce·loid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ocelot¹

1765–75; < French, apparently arbitrary shortening of Nahuatl tlālōcēlōtl ocelot, equivalent to tlāl ( li ) earth, land + ōcēlōtl jaguar

Word History and Origins

Origin of ocelot¹

C18: via French from Nahuatl ocelotl jaguar

Example Sentences

There’s a new ocelot kitten at the Los Angeles Zoo, delighting zookeepers and visitors.

From New York Times

Visitors to the Los Angeles Zoo will soon have the chance to catch a glimpse of a new ocelot kitten, which zoo officials said is almost big enough to enter the animal’s public habitat.

From Los Angeles Times

Zoo officials announced Monday the arrival of the baby ocelot, a 19-ounce male born Sept. 12 to mother Maya, who was described as “an experienced nurturing mom,” according to the press release.

From Los Angeles Times

However, in Mexico, Central and South America, the ocelot’s population remains much healthier, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.

From Los Angeles Times

The ocelot is a midsize cat — larger than a house cat but smaller than a bobcat, according to the zoo.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• kitten
• kitty