ˈtāpə(r) sometimes təˈpi(ə)r or -iə or ˈtāˌpi- noun
( plural tapir or tapirs )
Etymology: Tupi tapiíra
: any of several large perissodactyl ungulates (family Tapiridae) that inhabit So. and Central America, Malaya, and Sumatra, have a heavy sparsely hairy body, the snout prolonged into a short mobile proboscis, a rudimentary tail, stout legs, and four front and three hind toes, are chiefly nocturnal, shy, and gentle, and frequent heavy forests in the vicinity of water — see indian tapir
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