Tapir \Ta"pir\, n. [Braz. tapy'ra: cf. F. tapir.]
(Zo["o]l.)
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.
Note: 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 (T. Americanus), which,
when adult, is dull brown. Several others species
inhabit the Andes and Central America.
Tapir tiger (Zo["o]l.), the wallah.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) |