hippopotamus amphibius

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

Hippopotamus amphibius
    n 1: massive thick-skinned herbivorous animal living in or
         around rivers of tropical Africa [syn: {hippopotamus},
         {hippo}, {river horse}, {Hippopotamus amphibius}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Hippopotamus \Hip`po*pot"a*mus\, n.; pl. E. {Hippopotamuses}, L.
   {Hippopotami}. [L., from Gr.?; "i`ppos horse + ? river. Cf.
   {Equine}.] (Zool.)
   A large, amphibious, herbivorous mammal ({Hippopotamus
   amphibius}), common in the rivers of tropical Africa. It is
   allied to the hogs, and has a very thick, naked skin, a thick
   and square head, a very large muzzle, small eyes and ears,
   thick and heavy body, and short legs. It is supposed to be
   the behemoth of the Bible. Called also {zeekoe}, and {river
   horse}. A smaller species ({Hippopotamus Liberiencis})
   inhabits Western Africa.
   [1913 Webster]