mammoth definition - Dictionary

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Mammoth Cave National Park

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mammoth

mam·moth [ mámməth ]

noun (plural mam·moths or mam·moth)

Definition:

1. extinct elephant: a large extinct elephant that had long curved tusks and was covered with hair. It existed mainly in the northern hemisphere and died out more than 10,000 years ago. Genus Mammuthus.

2. something enormous: something that is a particularly large example of its kind

adjective

Definition:

very large: of very great size or extent

[Early 18th century. < obsolete Russian mámot]

Word History


	In its original Siberian language (possibly Ostyak) mammoth meant literally "earth, soil": the first remains of mammoths to be found were dug out of the frozen soil of Siberia, and it came to be believed that the animals burrowed in the earth. The adjectival use of mammoth for "huge" dates from the early 19th century.