manatee

manatee [man-uh-tee, man-uh-tee] ExamplesWord Origin noun

1. any of several plant-eating aquatic mammals of the genus Trichechus, of West Indian, Floridian, and Gulf Coast waters, having two flippers in front and a broad, spoon-shaped tail: all species are endangered.

Origin of manatee 1545–55; Spanish manatí Carib, but associated with Latin manātus provided with hands Examples from the Web for manatee Historical Examples of manatee

The manatee ranges from the mouth of the Amazon to the upper waters.

The Western World

W.H.G. Kingston

The manatee feeds on the grass growing at the borders of the lakes and rivers.

On the Banks of the Amazon

W.H.G. Kingston

You say that you first met Rufus Shepley aboard the Manatee?

The Brand of Silence

Harrington Strong

Squier and Davis, who first figured it, supposed it to represent a manatee, or sea-cow.

The Prehistoric World

E. A. Allen

Isle of Batts, very large; and numerous Turtles and Manatee.

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898–Volume 39 of 55

Various

British Dictionary definitions for manatee manatee noun

1. any sirenian mammal of the genus Trichechus, occurring in tropical coastal waters of America, the Caribbean, and Africa: family Trichechidae. They resemble whales and have a prehensile upper lip and a broad flattened tail

Derived Formsmanatoid, adjectiveWord Origin for manatee C16: via Spanish from Carib Manattouī Word Origin and History for manatee n.

1550s, from Spanish manati (1530s), from Carib manati “breast, udder.” Often associated with Latin manatus “having hands,” because the flippers resemble hands.