pachyderm

English

Etymology

From French pachyderme, from Ancient Greek παχύδερμος (pakhúdermos), from παχύς (pakhús, “thick”) + δέρμα (dérma, “skin”).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈpækʰ.ɪˌdɜː(ɹ)m/

Noun

pachyderm (plural pachyderms)

Elephants are pachyderms
  1. Someone (or something) with thick skin. It is used for animals such as an elephant or a hippopotamus.
  2. (obsolete, zoology) A member of the obsolete taxonomic order Pachydermata, grouping of thick-skinned, hoofed animals such as the rhinoceros, hippopotamus, elephant, pig and horse.
  3. (informal) An elephant
  4. (idiomatic) A person with thick skin; someone who is not affected by or does not care what others say about him or her.
  5. (idiomatic) Someone who is insensitive.

Translations

  • Greek: παχύδερμο n (pachýdermo) (3,4)
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