Find the word definition

The Collaborative International Dictionary
Scaly anteater

Manis \Ma"nis\ (m[=a]"n[i^]s), n. [NL., fr. L. manes the ghosts or shades of the dead. So called from its dismal appearance, and because it seeks for its food by night.] (Zo["o]l.) A genus of edentates, covered with large, hard, triangular scales, with sharp edges that overlap each other like tiles on a roof. They inhabit the warmest parts of Asia and Africa, and feed on ants. Called also Scaly anteater. See Pangolin.

Wiktionary
scaly anteater

n. Any of several species of pangolin.

WordNet
scaly anteater

n. toothless mammal of southern Africa and Asia having a body covered with horny scales and a long snout for feeding on ants and termites [syn: pangolin, anteater]

Usage examples of "scaly anteater".

For being himself a small creature, he recognized the excellence of many small things, and he knew that the scaly anteater, the pangolin, was to be honoured even more than the lion, and the praying mantis, an insect, was more worthy than the elephant or the gemsbok, for in each of them reposed a special part of the godhead of nature which he worshipped.

I was tearing at the delicious meat of a scaly anteater and watching the dying dust from the three parties after me.