noun
armadillo
ar-muh-DIL-oh/ˌɑːrməˈdɪləʊ/
A burrowing mammal covered with protective bony plates.
The armadillo walks across dry ground beneath its protective bony armor.
Etymology
The pieces mean “little armored one”: the mammal's hard, plated shell is likened to defensive armor, making its protective covering the basis of its name.
In context
there's a sleeping armadillo a halfling who's getting annoyed with them
More examples
- An armadillo dug beside the fence.
- Several armadillos crossed the clearing.
- The armadillo curled close to the ground.
Forms
armadillo · armadillos