[ ˌhɪpə'pɒtəməs ]
■ noun ( plural ~es or hippopotami -mʌɪ ) a large thick-skinned semiaquatic African mammal, with massive jaws. [ Hippopotamus amphibius and Choeropsis liberiensis ( pygmy ~ ).]
Origin
ME: via L. from Gk hippopotamos , earlier hippos ho potamios , 'river horse'.