pachyderm

[ pak-i-durm ]

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.

pachyderm

/ ˈpækɪˌdɜːm /

noun

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

pachyderm

/ păk′ĭ-dûrm′ /

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

Derived Forms

• ˌpachyˈdermatous, adjective

Other Words From

• pachy·dermal pachy·dermous pachy·dermic pachy·dermoid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pachyderm¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pachyderm¹

C19: from French pachyderme, from Greek pakhudermos thick-skinned, from pakhus thick + derma skin

Example Sentences

There is hope that once Osh, a male, arrives at the sanctuary, the 30-year-old pachyderm will reunite with Donna, the zoo’s last remaining female African elephant that was relocated there last year.

From Los Angeles Times

The vanishing pachyderm in that metaphor is the question of what Donald Trump will do to American democracy if he again becomes president.

From Salon

The pachyderms' dung enriches the soil from which the plants grow; similarly, as they feed and go about their day-to-day business, the elephants knock over trees and disperse seeds.

From Salon

The pachyderm is expected to return to Sri Lanka after treatment, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has said, and animal welfare activists hope he will be sent to a sanctuary.

From Reuters

The pachyderm rituals would not have seemed out of place at a human funeral: Some stood in quiet order while observing Tolstoy's remains, and others gently touched his body with their trunks.

From Salon