CHEETAH

[chee.tah] n, pl cheetahs also cheetah [Hindi cita leopard, fr. Skt citraka, fr. citra bright, variegated; akin to OHG heitar bright--more at -hood] (1610): a long-legged spotted swift-moving African and formerly Asian cat (Acinonyx jubatus) about the size of a small leopard that has blunt nonretractile claws and is often trained to run down game