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

Further refinement of the knowledge and techniques to create genetic exchange between wild and zoo-managed ocelot populations or among wild ocelot populations living in fragmented habitats will help ensure that these animals survive into the future.

From The Daily Beast

They’ll add greater diversity to the ocelot population managed in North American zoos, while improving our understanding of possibilities for increasing genetic diversity within wild ocelot populations.

From The Daily Beast

It was the first time anyone was trying to produce a pregnancy in a zoo-born female ocelot using sperm recovered from a deceased wild male ocelot.

From The Daily Beast

The Silver Spring brewery has invited some stellar guests, including Wheatland Spring, Sapwood Cellars, Ocelot and Other Half, to take over its taps for the day.

From Washington Post

Hockema said the site is a habitat for ocelots, an endangered species.

From Washington Post

The hounds, who well knew where the ocelot had gone to, were chasing it from tree to tree; but still it continued to elude them.

From Project Gutenberg

Now and then a wolf would approach, or a puma, or ocelot; but a shout would send them to the rightabout.

From Project Gutenberg

I soon reloaded and hurried after Trusty, who was barking round a small oak in which the ocelot had sought shelter.

From Project Gutenberg

The ocelot is found only in forest districts, and is an excellent climber, spending most of its life in the trees.

From Project Gutenberg

The animal called the margay is really a kind of small ocelot, and it is sometimes known as the tiger-cat.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• kitten
• kitty