leopard

noun

1. 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.
2. the fur or pelt of this animal.
3. any of various related cats resembling this animal.
4. Heraldry. a lion represented from the side as walking, usually with one forepaw raised, and looking toward the spectator.
5. Numismatics.
   1. an Anglo-Gallic gold coin issued by Edward III, equal to half a florin, bearing the figure of a leopard.
   2. a silver Anglo-Gallic coin issued by Henry V.
6. (initial capital letter) Military. a 42-ton (38-metric ton) West German tank with a 105mm gun.

noun

1. 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
2. any of several similar felines, such as the snow leopard and cheetah
3. clouded leopard a feline, Neofelis nebulosa, of SE Asia and Indonesia with a yellowish-brown coat marked with darker spots and blotches
4. heraldry a stylized leopard, painted as a lion with the face turned towards the front
5. the pelt of a leopard

n.late 13c., from Old French lebard, leupart (12c., Modern French léopard), from Late Latin leopardus, literally “lion-pard,” from Greek leopardos, from leon “lion” + pardos “male panther,” which generally is said to be connected to Sanskrit prdakuh “panther, tiger.” The animal was thought in ancient times to be a hybrid of these two species.