noun

panther

A large wild cat of the Americas with a plain tawny coat.

The tawny panther moves silently through the Florida brush.

Etymology

The old name referred to an Old World big cat. In American usage it was transferred to the cougar, another large predatory cat.

More examples

  • The biologist tracked a Florida panther.
  • Several panthers used the same habitat.
  • A panther crossed the trail at dusk.

Forms

panther · panthers

Similar words

cougar
Cougar is a common unambiguous name for this animal.
puma
Puma is another neutral name for the same species.