dugong

[ doo-gong, -gawng ]

noun

1. an herbivorous, aquatic mammal, Dugong dugon, of the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, having a barrel-shaped body, flipperlike forelimbs, no hind limbs, and a triangular tail: widespread but rare.

dugong

/ ˈduːɡɒŋ /

noun

1. a whalelike sirenian mammal, Dugong dugon, occurring in shallow tropical waters from E Africa to Australia: family Dugongidae

Word History and Origins

Origin of dugong¹

1790–1800; < New Latin < German: first recorded as dugung, apparently misrepresentation of Malay duyung, or a cognate Austronesian word

Word History and Origins

Origin of dugong¹

C19: from Malay duyong

Example Sentences

Of marine mammals the dugong is peculiar to the Indian Ocean; in the Ganges is found a peculiar species of dolphin.

From Project Gutenberg

Again, the Dugong and Manatee are dermally alike, yet extremely different as regards the structure and number of their teeth.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter country possesses an organised dugong fishery, which bids fair to exterminate this harmless animal.

From Project Gutenberg

When the female Dugong is nursing her offspring the position assumed is almost identical with that of a human mother.

From Project Gutenberg

In neither Manatee nor Dugong is there any trace of an acetabulum but one can be made out in Halitherium.

From Project Gutenberg