manis Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun type genus of the Manidae
    genus Manis.

WordNet

Ma"nis noun
Etymology
NL., fr. L. manes the ghosts or shades of the dead. So called from its dismal appearance, and because it seeks for its food by night.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) A genus of edentates, covered with large, hard, triangular scales, with sharp edges that overlap each other like tiles on a roof. They inhabit the warmest parts of Asia and Africa, and feed on ants. Called also Scaly anteater. See Pangolin.

Webster 1913