giraffe
nounattested in dialogue
- United Kingdom//dʒɪˈɹɑːf//
- United States//d͡ʒəˈɹæf//
- Scotland//dʒɪˈɹaf//
A ruminant in the genus Giraffa of the African savannah with long legs, a highly elongated neck, yellow fur patterned with dark spots typically in the form of a network, and two or more horn-like projections called ossicones; the tallest living animal.
noun
- 1
A ruminant in the genus Giraffa of the African savannah with long legs, a highly elongated neck, yellow fur patterned with dark spots typically in the form of a network, and two or more horn-like projections called ossicones; the tallest living animal.
A group of giraffes is called a tower.
- 2
A giraffe unicycle.
- 3
slangA laugh.
Are you having a giraffe?!
- 4
A very tall individual.
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱer- Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ ? Proto-Indo-European *ḱerh₂-der.? Classical Persian زُرْنَا (zurnā) Proto-Indo-European *ped- Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *pṓds Proto-Indo-Iranian *pā́ts Proto-Iranian *pā́dah Old Persian 𐎱𐎠𐎭 (p-a-d) Classical Persian پَا (pā) Classical Persian زُرْنَاپَا (zurnāpā)bor. Classical Syriac ܙܪܝܦܐ (zārīp̄ā)bor. Arabic زُرَافَة (zurāfa)bor. Italian giraffabor. Middle French giraffebor. English giraffe From Middle French giraffe, from Italian giraffa, from Arabic زُرَافَة (zurāfa), from Classical Syriac ܙܪܝܦܐ (zārīp̄ā), from Classical Persian زُرْنَاپَا (zurnāpā, literally “flute-leg”). Displaced camelopard.
Forms
- plural
- giraffes
giraffe · A ruminant in the genus Giraffa of the African savannah with long legs, a highly elongated neck, yellow fur patterned with dark spots typically in…
girl · A female child.Girl · A Chinese constellation located near Aquarius, one of the 28…girlfriend · A female partner in an unmarried romantic relationship.