babirusa
2 synonyms for babirusa, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A wild pig of the genus Babyrousa, notable for the male's upper tusks, which curve upward through the snout.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
deer-pig
pig-deer
How to use babirusa
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
male babirusa
babirusa tusks
wild babirusa
babirusa species
It is a specific animal name used mainly in zoology and wildlife writing.
Etymology
The name comes from Malay, combining the words for pig and deer, because the animal's upward-curving tusks look a little like antlers. This Malay term was later adapted into scientific Latin as the species name.
Full origin of babirusa →Frequently asked questions
What is a babirusa?
A babirusa is a wild pig, related to domestic pigs, best known for the male's tusks, which curl upward out of the snout.
Why is it called a babirusa?
The name means 'pig-deer' in Malay, given because the male's curved tusks resemble a deer's antlers.
Are there different kinds of babirusa?
Yes, several named forms exist, such as the Buru babirusa and the North Sulawesi babirusa, each tied to a particular island.
