leopard
n. countablen. a large wild cat with yellow fur and dark spots. They are famous for being very fast and good at climbing trees.
n. a large, solitary feline of the genus Panthera, native to Africa and parts of Asia. Characterised by a tawny coat marked with dark rosettes.
The leopard hid in the tall grass.
During the safari, we saw a leopard resting on a high branch with its kill.
The leopard is known for its remarkable adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats ranging from arid deserts to lush rainforests due to its opportunistic hunting style.
From Middle English leopard, leopart, lepard, leperd, from Old French leopard (“leopard”), from Late Latin leopardus (“leopon, lipard”) from late Ancient Greek λεόπαρδος (leópardos, “leopon, lipard”), from λέων (léōn, “lion”) + πάρδος (párdos, “pard, male leopard”), from earlier πάρδαλις (párdalis, “leopard”), probably from an unattested Old Persian [Term?] term ancestral to Middle Persian palang, Khwarezmian plyk, Sogdian [script needed] (pwrδnk), Pashto پړانګ (pṛāng). Compare Persian پلنگ (palang) and Sanskrit पृदाकु (pṛdāku, “panther”).
The plural form is typically 'leopards', though 'leopard' may be used as a collective plural in hunting contexts.