manatee
UK[ˈmænətiː]US[ˈmænətiː]
n
a large, fully aquatic, herbivorous marine mammal of the order Sirenia, with a rounded body, paddle-like flippers, and a flat tail.
Etymology
the word 'manatee' entered english from spanish in the mid-16th century. its ultimate source is the carib language family, indigenous to the caribbean region, where a word similar to 'manatí' was used. the original meaning in carib, often glossed as 'breast', is thought to be a descriptive reference to the animal's shape. this new world term replaced earlier classical names, following european exploration, and has since become the standard english term for these gentle sea cows.
Analysis
this word is a loanword adopted as a simplex unit. it originates from the spanish word 'manatí', which itself was borrowed from a carib language (likely taíno or cariban), where it meant 'breast' or 'udder', likely referring to the animal's appearance.
Examples
a manatee grazed peacefully on seagrass in the clear spring water.
boaters are urged to slow down in channels to avoid injuring manatees.
the florida manatee is a subspecies considered vulnerable to extinction.