n. (pl. same or rhinoceroses) any of various large thick-skinned plant-eating ungulates of the family Rhinocerotidae of Africa and S. Asia, with one horn or in some cases two horns on the nose and plated or folded skin. rhinoceros bird = ox-pecker. rhinoceros horn a mass of keratinized fibres, reputed to have medicinal or aphrodisiac powers. rhinocerotic adj.
[ ME f. L f. Gk rhinokeros (as RHINO-, keras horn) ]