GIRAFFE
\d͡ʒɪɹˈaf], \dʒɪɹˈaf], \dʒ_ɪ_ɹ_ˈa_f]\
Sort: Oldest first
-
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.
By Oddity Software
-
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.
By Noah Webster.
-
The camelopard (Giraffa Camelopardalis or Camelopardalis Giraffa), a ruminant animal inhabiting various parts of Africa, and constituting the only species of its genus and family. It is the tallest of all animals, a full-grown male reaching the height of 18 or 20 feet. This great stature is mainly due to the extraordinary length of the neck, in which, however, there are but seven vertebrae, though these are extremely elongated. It has two bony excrescences on its head resembling horns. Its great height is admirably suited with its habit of feeding upon the leaves of trees, and in this the animal is further aided by its tongue, which is both prehensile and capable of being remarkably elongated or contracted at will. It rarely attempts to pick up food from the ground. Its color is usually light fawn marked with darker spots. It is a mild and inoffensive animal, and in captivity is very gentle and playful. "The giraffe is, in some respects, intermediate between the hollow-horned and solid-horned ruminants, though partaking more of the nature of the deer."-Prof. Owen.
By Daniel Lyons
Word of the day
international pitch
- the pitch used to tune instruments for concert performances; usually assigns 440 Hz A above middle C