Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large spotted feline of tropical America: A jaguar is a large, powerful wild cat native to the Americas, known for its distinctive coat of black spots on a tawny background. It is similar in appearance to a leopard but is typically stockier and more muscular.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The jaguar is the largest cat in the Americas.
  • We were lucky to spot a jaguar near the riverbank.
  • The jaguar's powerful bite allows it to pierce the shells of turtles.

Advanced Usage

• "Jaguar" in cultural contexts: The word can be used to refer to the animal's symbolic role in mythology and culture.
  • In many Mesoamerican cultures, the jaguar was a symbol of power and the underworld.

Variants and Related Words

• Panthera onca (n): The scientific name for the jaguar.
• Black panther (n): A term often used for melanistic (black) variants of jaguars and leopards. In the Americas, a black panther is typically a melanistic jaguar.

Synonyms

• Big cat: A general term for large felines like lions, tigers, and jaguars.
• Feline: Relating to or affecting cats or other members of the cat family.

Related Phrases

• Jaguar conservation: Refers to efforts to protect the species and its habitat.
  • Jaguar conservation is critical in the Amazon rainforest.

Related Idioms

Noun

1. a large spotted feline of tropical America similar to the leopard; in some classifications considered a member of the genus Felis