Any one of several species of large odd-toed ungulates belonging to Tapirus, Elasmognathus, and allied genera. They have a long prehensile upper lip, short ears, short and stout legs, a short, thick tail, and short, close hair. They have three toes on the hind feet, and four toes on the fore feet, but the outermost toe is of little use. [1913 Webster]

" The best-known species are the Indian tapir (Tapirus Indicus), native of the East Indies and Malacca, which is black with a broad band of white around the middle, and the common American tapir (Tapirus Americanus), which, when adult, is dull brown. Several others species inhabit the Andes and Central America." [1913 Webster]

Tapir tiger (Zoöl.), the wallah.

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

tapir, n. any nocturnal hoofed mammal of the genus Tapirus, native to Central and S. America and Malaysia, having a short flexible protruding snout used for feeding on vegetation.

Derivative

tapiroid adj. & n.

Etymology

Tupi tapira

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