noun
armadillo
ah-muh-DIH-loh
noun
1
A burrowing mammal native to the Americas, covered in tough, jointed armor-like plates.
"An armadillo curled into a tight ball when the dog got close."
"Armadillos are known for digging extensive burrows with their strong claws."
How to Use Armadillo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small, plated mammal that looks like it's wearing its own suit of armor.
Memory tip
The name literally means "little armored thing" in Spanish — picturing the plates on its back makes the word easy to remember.
Trace the full origin ↓Word Forms
armadillos plural, armadilloes plural
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Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish armadillo, literally "little armored one," a diminutive of armado ("armored") — a nod to the animal's bony, shell-like plates.