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pachyderm



pachy·derm [ ˈpa-ki-ˌdərm]



pachyderm   
noun
[ˈpa-ki-ˌdərm]

Definition of pachyderm

: any of various nonruminant mammals (such as an elephant, a rhinoceros, or a hippopotamus) of a former group (Pachydermata) that have hooves or nails resembling hooves and usually thick skin
especially
: elephant



Did You Know

Pachydermos in Greek means literally "having thick skin" (figuratively, it means "dull" or "stupid"). It's from pachys, meaning "thick," and derma, meaning "skin." In the late 1700s the French naturalist Georges Cuvier adapted the Greek term as pachyderme and used it for any one of a whole assemblage of hoofed animals having thickish skin: elephants, hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses, tapirs, horses, pigs, and more. English speakers learned the word from French in the early 1800s. The adjective pachydermatous means "of or relating to the pachyderms" or "thickened" (referring to skin). Not too surprisingly, it also means "callous" or "insensitive" (somewhat unfairly to elephants, which are actually known to be rather sensitive).



Recent Examples on the Web


//Like Manchester of Intrepid Travel, Shell is worried about the fate of pachyderms in Asia and supports the creation of more sanctuaries for these intelligent creatures.
Ephrat Livni, Quartzy, "Celebrate World Elephant Day by not riding an elephant," 10 Aug. 2019

//If memory serves, the pachyderm’s delivery was juuuuust a bit low.
Gary Peterson, The Mercury News, "Dog days are a good thing for A’s Triple-A team and its four-legged bat boy," 2 Aug. 2019

//The smooth pachyderm criminal managed to sneak out of his exhibit at the Florida zoo through a door that was accidentally left open.
Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, "Michael Jackson's Former Neverland Ranch Elephant Escapes New Home at Florida Zoo," 18 June 2018

//Wilstem offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to bathe one of three elephants, love on them and learn more about the peaceful pachyderms.
Sarah Bahr, Indianapolis Star, "Ultimate Indiana bucket list: 50+ things to do in Indianapolis and around the state," 11 July 2018

//This was no ordinary delivery: this package contained a pachyderm.
Ryan P. Smith, Smithsonian, "Meet Spike, the Affable Asian Bull Elephant Trucked Up From Florida to Join the National Zoo," 23 Mar. 2018

//The first teaser trailer for Dumbo, Disney's live-action take of everyone's favorite floppy-eared pachyderm, was released Wednesday morning — and this might be the cutest thing the House of Mouse has released in recent memory.
D. Elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Disney Debuts "Dumbo" Live-Action Trailer," 13 June 2018

//But save some camera battery for the Elephant Terrace, too, as its hundreds of stone pachyderms once welcomed the Khmer imperial army back from battle.
Cynthia Drescher, Condé Nast Traveler, "3 Days in Siem Reap," 16 Apr. 2018

//Aramis Babcock, 19, is one of the students from UTSA’s Honors College who conceived, researched and designed what is essentially a toy to entertain the zoo’s three pachyderms, Lucky, Karen and Nicole.
Vincent T. Davis, San Antonio Express-News, "Elephants at Zoo receive enrichment project from UTSA Honors College students," 10 Apr. 2018


First Known Use of pachyderm

1828, in the meaning defined above



History and Etymology for pachyderm

French pachyderme, from Greek pachydermos thick-skinned, from pachys thick + derma skin; akin to Sanskrit bahu dense, much — more at derm-



Dictionary Entries near pachyderm