NYT Dictionary

ARMADILLO

/ɑɹməˈdɪloʊ/
Nounar-ma-DIL-loar-ma-dil-lo · 4 syllablesGrade 4

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2021, 2022, 2024

Meaning

Any of the burrowing mammals in the families Dasypodidae, Chlamyphoridae, Tolypeutidae and Euphractidae in the order Cingulata, found in the Americas, especially South America, and covered with bony, jointed protective plates.

Etymology

Origin: Latin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂er- Proto-Indo-European *h₂(e)rmos Proto-Italic *armosder. Latin arma Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Indo-European *-h₂tiinflu. Proto-Italic *-ājō Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Latin armō ▲ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂tos Proto-Italic *-ātos Latin -ātus Latin armātus Old Spanish armado Spanish armado Proto-Indo-European *-lós Proto-Indo-European *-elós Proto-Italic *-elos Latin -lus Latin -ellus Old Spanish -iello Spanish -illo Spanish armadillobor. English armadillo Borrowed from Spanish armadillo, diminutive of armado (“armored”), in reference to its protective plates.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

quirquinchoanimalantelopeaardvarkaardwolfalpacaanteateraoudadaparass

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle, including a pangram:

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