hippopotamus Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun massive thick-skinned herbivorous animal living in or around rivers of tropical Africa
    Hippopotamus amphibius; hippo; river horse.

WordNet

Hip`po*pot"a*mus noun
Etymology
L., from Gr. horse + river. Cf. Equine.
Wordforms
plural E Hippopotamuses L Hippopotami
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) A large, amphibious, herbivorous mammal (Hippopotamus amphibius), common in the rivers of Africa. It is allied to the hogs, and has a very thick, naked skin, a thick and square head, a very large muzzle, small eyes and ears, thick and heavy body, and short legs. It is supposed to be the behemoth of the Bible. Called also zeekoe, and river horse. A smaller species (H. Liberiencis) inhabits Western Africa.

Webster 1913