aardvark
|aard-vark|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈɑrdˌvɑrk/
🇬🇧
/ˈɑːd.vɑːk/
earth pig
Etymology
Etymology Information
'aardvark' originates from Afrikaans, specifically the word 'aardvark', where 'aard' meant 'earth' and 'vark' meant 'pig'.
Historical Evolution
'aardvark' changed from the Dutch word 'aarde' (earth) and 'varken' (pig) and eventually became the modern English word 'aardvark'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'earth pig', referring to its burrowing habits, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a nocturnal burrowing mammal native to Africa, known for its long snout and ability to eat ants and termites.
The aardvark uses its long tongue to capture ants.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/03/28 13:21