/pan"theuhr/ , n. , pl. panthers , ( esp. collectively ) panther , adj.
n.
1. the cougar or puma, Felis concolor.
2. the leopard, Panthera pardus.
3. any leopard in the black color phase.
4. Informal. a very fierce person.
5. ( cap. ) Mil. a 43-ton (39 m ton) German tank of World War II with a 75mm gun as its main armament.
adj.
6. fierce; strong and violent.
[ bef. 1000; panthera pánther; r. ME pantere ( pandher ( ]