[leop.ard] n [ME, fr. OF leupart, fr. LL leopardus, fr. Gk leopardos, fr. leon lion + pardos leopard] (13c) 1: a large strong cat (Panthera pardus) of southern Asia and Africa that is adept at climbing and is usu. tawny or buff with black spots arranged in rosettes--called also panther
2: a heraldic representation of a lion passant guardant -- leop.ard.ess n