pachyderm

American  

[pak-i-durm] / ˈpæk ɪˌdɜrm /

noun

1. any of the thick-skinned, nonruminant ungulates, as elephants, hippopotamuses, and rhinoceroses.

2. an elephant.

3. a person who is not sensitive to criticism, ridicule, etc.; a thick-skinned person.

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pachyderm British  

/ ˈpækɪˌdɜːm /

noun

1. any very large thick-skinned mammal, such as an elephant, rhinoceros, or hippopotamus

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pachyderm Scientific  

/ păk′ĭ-dûrm′ /

1. Any of various large, thick-skinned mammals, such as the elephant, rhinoceros, or hippopotamus.

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Other Word Forms

• pachydermal adjective
• pachydermatous adjective
• pachydermic adjective
• pachydermoid adjective
• pachydermous adjective

Etymology

Origin of pachyderm

First recorded in 1825–30; from French pachyderme, from New Latin Pachyderma, singular of Pachydermata (plural) obsolete order name, from Greek pachý(s) “thick” + -dérmata, neuter plural of -dermatos “-skinned,” adjective derivative of dermat-, stem of dérma “skin”; derma ¹

Example Sentences

On nearby roads, it’s not uncommon to see pachyderms traipsing along with their mahouts straddling their thick necks as vehicles carefully navigate around them.

From New York Times

It’s unclear for now what Sodo’s pink pachyderm’s fate will be, or whether it will join its compatriots across the street.

From Seattle Times

Workers are dismembering the enormous elephant sculptures at night so that tourists and shoppers aren’t imperiled by wayward pachyderm parts.

From Los Angeles Times

He and his team packed up the youngest female pachyderms first after getting them comfortable with being coaxed inside a trailer, Newby said.

From Washington Post

The other shows successful coexistence, such as among people and pachyderms in southern India.

From Reuters