babirusas
|ba-bi-ru-sa|
/ˌbæbɪˈruːsə/
(babirusa)
pig + deer (curved upward tusks)
Etymology
'babirusa' originates from Malay/Indonesian, specifically the words 'babi' and 'rusa', where 'babi' meant 'pig' and 'rusa' meant 'deer'.
'babirusa' entered English and scientific usage in the 19th century from Malay/Indonesian; the local compound 'babi rusa' and the Latinized genus name 'Babyrousa' were adapted into English as 'babirusa'.
Initially it meant 'pig-deer' (a compound of two Malay words), but over time it evolved to denote the specific genus/species of wild pigs known as 'babirusa'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a wild, pig-like mammal of the genus Babyrousa native to Indonesian islands (noted for very long, upward-curving tusks).
Babirusas are found on Sulawesi and nearby islands, where males often have long, upward‑curving tusks.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/23 18:02