leopard
Americannoun
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a large, spotted Asian or African carnivore, Panthera pardus, of the cat family, usually tawny with black markings; the Old World panther: all leopard populations are threatened or endangered.
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the fur or pelt of this animal.
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any of various related cats resembling this animal.
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Heraldry. a lion represented from the side as walking, usually with one forepaw raised, and looking toward the spectator.
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Numismatics.
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an Anglo-Gallic gold coin issued by Edward III, equal to half a florin, bearing the figure of a leopard.
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a silver Anglo-Gallic coin issued by Henry V.
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Military. Leopard, a 42-ton (38-metric ton) West German tank with a 105 mm gun.
noun
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Also called: panther. a large feline mammal, Panthera pardus, of forests of Africa and Asia, usually having a tawny yellow coat with black rosette-like spots
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any of several similar felines, such as the snow leopard and cheetah
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a feline, Neofelis nebulosa, of SE Asia and Indonesia with a yellowish-brown coat marked with darker spots and blotches
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heraldry a stylized leopard, painted as a lion with the face turned towards the front
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the pelt of a leopard
Other Word Forms
- leopardess noun
Etymology
Origin of leopard
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English leopard, labarde, lebarde, from Old French leopard, lebard, leupard, from Late Latin leōpardus, from Greek leópardos, syncopated variant of leontópardos, equivalent to leonto- (stem of léōn ) + párdos; lion, pard 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On Tuesday, he spoke from the dock to confirm his name and his latest not guilty pleas, while wearing a leopard print shirt with several buttons undone and holding a fedora hat.
From BBC
"It's becoming increasingly clear that many pathogens are able to quickly mutate. Like the proverbial leopard that changes its spots, a virus can change the antigens on its surface," Pulendran said.
From Science Daily
Guests were invited to watch as models sprawled across a pool table decorated in white leopard print, wearing outfits to match the playful aesthetic.
From BBC
The quotas published last week for public consultation are for 150 elephants, 12 black rhino and 11 leopards.
From Barron's
“I know you’ll think I’m crazy. Maybe I dozed off, or maybe I’m so worn out I’m hallucinating, but I think I saw a big spotted cat running along my side. Looked like a leopard.”
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
