manatee

[ man-uh-tee, man-uh-tee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of several plant-eating aquatic mammals of the genus Trichechus, of West Indian, Floridian, and Gulf Coast waters, having two flippers in front and a broad, spoon-shaped tail: all species are endangered.

manatee

/ ˈmænəˌtiː, ˌmænəˈtiː /

any sirenian mammal of the genus Trichechus, occurring in tropical coastal waters of America, the Caribbean, and Africa: family Trichechidae. They resemble whales and have a prehensile upper lip and a broad flattened tail

Origin of manatee¹

1545–55; < Spanish manatí < Carib, but associated with Latin manātus provided with hands

Origin of manatee¹

C16: via Spanish from Carib Manattouī

To these we gave boiled rice, and with it turtle and manatee boiled.

And it was to jab harpoons and spears into porpoises and manatee and sawfish, and be dragged about in their boat.

By taking a creditable steamer at Cedar Keys, we can reach Manatee, the point of our destination.

Let all those who dream of sand-hills, and only starvation staring them in the face while in Florida, come to Manatee.

Those rhyme-writers never visited Manatee, where new-born roses open every day, and summer lingers all the year.

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