jaguar
UK: ˈdʒæɡjuə | US: ˈdʒæɡwɑːr
n. a large, spotted wild cat native to Central and South America, similar to a leopard but stockier and more powerful.
The word "jaguar" originates from the Tupi-Guarani languages of South America, specifically from the term yaguara, meaning "beast" or "predator." European colonizers adopted and adapted the term into Portuguese (jaguar) and later into English. Unlike many English words derived from Latin or Greek, "jaguar" retains its indigenous roots, reflecting the animal's cultural significance in the Americas.
The jaguar is the largest feline in the Americas.
We spotted a jaguar lurking near the riverbank.
Indigenous cultures often depict the jaguar as a symbol of power.
The jaguar's coat is covered in distinctive rosette patterns.
Conservation efforts aim to protect the jaguar's shrinking habitat.