dugong

[ doo-gong, -gawng ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an herbivorous, aquatic mammal, Dugong dugon, of the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, having a barrel-shaped body, flipperlike forelimbs, no hind limbs, and a triangular tail: widespread but rare.

dugong

/ ˈduːɡɒŋ /

a whalelike sirenian mammal, Dugong dugon, occurring in shallow tropical waters from E Africa to Australia: family Dugongidae

Origin of dugong¹

1790–1800; < New Latin < German: first recorded as dugung, apparently misrepresentation of Malay duyung, or a cognate Austronesian word

Origin of dugong¹

C19: from Malay duyong

How does dugong compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Of marine mammals the dugong is peculiar to the Indian Ocean; in the Ganges is found a peculiar species of dolphin.

Again, the Dugong and Manatee are dermally alike, yet extremely different as regards the structure and number of their teeth.

The latter country possesses an organised dugong fishery, which bids fair to exterminate this harmless animal.

When the female Dugong is nursing her offspring the position assumed is almost identical with that of a human mother.

In neither Manatee nor Dugong is there any trace of an acetabulum but one can be made out in Halitherium.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse