any of various small, arboreal, chiefly nocturnal mammals of the family Lemuridae, of Madagascar and the Comoro Islands, esp. of the genus Lemur, usually having large eyes, a foxlike face, and woolly fur: most lemurs are endangered.
Origin: 1790–1800; < NL, appar. special use of L lemurēs (pl.) ghosts, specters
[lee-mer] 
