ocelot
(ˈəʊsɪlɒt, ˈɒs-)
[a. F. ocelot, abridged by Buffon from the Mexican name tlalocelotl (Hernandez), f. tlalli field + ocelotl tiger, jaguar. By thus dropping the qualifying element, Buffon took the Mexican name of the jaguar as the appellation of another feline beast. (Cf. Simeon Dict. Langue Nahuatl 1885.)]
A leopard-like feline quadruped (Felis pardalis) of Central and South America, about three feet in length; the prevailing colour is grey, beautifully marked with numerous elongated fawn spots edged with black; the under parts are white or whitish with black markings; also called tiger-cat, leopard-cat.
| 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. II. 148 The catamountain which is the Ocelot of Mr. Buffon. 1851 Mayne Reid Scalp Hunters lviii. 434 Have you seen the captive ocelot? |