african elephant
african elephant Lexical Profile
• noun
Any of two species of large, herbivorous mammals of the genus Loxodonta (the savanna elephant and the forest elephant) native to sub-Saharan Africa, characterized by their large ears, long prehensile trunk, and thick gray skin.
"The African elephant is the largest living terrestrial animal on Earth and serves as a keystone species in maintaining the ecological balance of the savanna."
Word Nuance & Usage
When discussing elephants, the African elephant is frequently contrasted with the Asian elephant; the former is distinguished by its larger, Africa-shaped ears and the presence of prominent tusks in both males and females.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A descriptive compound noun combining 'African' (referring to its native habitat) and 'elephant', derived from the Ancient Greek 'elephas' via the Latin 'elephantus'.