One entry found for rhinoceros.

Main Entry: rhi·noc·er·os
Pronunciation: r-näs-(-)rs
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -noc·er·os·es also -noc·er·os
Etymology: Middle English rinoceros "rhinoceros," from Latin rhinocerot-, rhinoceros (same meaning), from Greek rhinokert-, rhinokers, literally "horned nose," from rhin-, rhis "nose" and keras "horn"
: any of various large plant-eating mammals of Africa and Asia that are related to the horse and have a thick skin with little hair, three toes on each foot, and one or two heavy upright horns on the snout
Word History One of the largest animals found on land today is the thick-skinned rhinoceros. Another of the animal's characteristics, besides large size, is found on its snout. All rhinoceroses have at least one horn, and some have two horns. The English name for this animal with a horn or horns on its snout was borrowed from Latin rhinoceros. The Latin name, in turn, came from the Greek word rhinokers, which literally means "horned nose." This word is made up of the Greek word rhin-, rhis, meaning "nose" and the word keras, meaning "horn."
[rhinoceros illustration]

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