Manaty

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  manatee \man`a*tee"\, n. [Sp. manat['i], from the native name in
     Haiti. Cf. {Lamantin}.] (Zool.)
     Any species of {Trichechus}, a genus of sirenians; -- called
     also {sea cow}. [Written also {manaty}, {manati}.]
     [1913 Webster]
  


     Note: One species ({Trichechus Senegalensis}) inhabits the
           west coast of Africa; another ({Trichechus Americanus})
           inhabits the east coast of South America, and the
           West-Indies. The Florida manatee ({Trichechus
           latirostris}) is by some considered a distinct species,
           by others it is thought to be a variety of {Trichechus
           Americanus}. It sometimes becomes fifteen feet or more
           in length, and lives both in fresh and salt water. It
           was hunted for its oil and flesh, and every species is
           now an endangered species.
           [1913 Webster]