Lexic.us

Definition of Giraffe

1. Noun. Tallest living quadruped; having a spotted coat and small horns and very long neck and legs; of savannahs of tropical Africa.

Definition of Giraffe

1. n. An African ruminant (Camelopardalis giraffa) related to the deers and antelopes, but placed in a family by itself; the camelopard. It is the tallest of animals, being sometimes twenty feet from the hoofs to the top of the head. Its neck is very long, and its fore legs are much longer than its hind legs.

Definition of Giraffe

1. Noun. A ruminant, of the genus ''Giraffa'', of the African savannah with long legs and highly elongated neck, which make it the tallest living animal; yellow fur patterned with dark spots, often in the form of a network; and two or more short, skin-covered horns. ¹

2. Noun. (Cockney rhyming slang) A laugh. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Giraffe

1. a long-necked mammal [n -S]

Medical Definition of Giraffe

1. An African ruminant (Camelopardalis giraffa) related to the deers and antelopes, but placed in a family by itself; the camelopard. It is the tallest of animals, being sometimes twenty feet from the hoofs to the top of the head. Its neck is very long, and its fore legs are much longer than its hind legs. Origin: F. Girafe, Sp. Girafa, from Ar. Zurafa, zarafa. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Giraffe

Literary usage of Giraffe

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Dictionary of Science, Literature, & Art: Comprising the Definitions and by George William Cox (1866)
"While browsing on his favourite acacia, the giraffe, by means of his laterally projecting orbits, can direct his sight so as to anticipate a threatened ..."

2. Missionary Labours and Scenes in Southern Africa by Robert Moffat (1846)
"Near a very small fountain, which was shown to me, stood a camel thorn-tree, (Acacia giraffe.) It was a stiff tree, about twelve feet high, ..."

3. Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Standard Work of Reference in Art, Literature (1907)
"Intermediate between the members of the deer and ox families the giraffe difiera from both in having neither short, measuring only 7 feet between the breast ..."

4. African Nature Notes and Reminiscences by Frederick Courteney Selous (1908)
"CHAPTER XI NOTES ON THE giraffe Appearance of the giraffe—Not a vanishing species—Immense range—Habitat—Native mounted hunters—Destruction of giraffes and ..."

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