sifaka

noun

si·​faka sə-ˈfa-kə How to pronounce sifaka (audio)
: any of several diurnal mostly black-and-white lemurs (genus Propithecus) with a long tail and silky fur

Examples of sifaka in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Duke Lemur Center in Durham, N.C., invites adopters to select one of eight species living at the facility (out of a total 14), including the aye-aye, blue-eyed black lemur or Coquerel’s sifaka, which resembles a startled monkey in a panda bonnet. Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2021 Zoo officials said Anastasia was a Coquerel’s sifaka (CAH-ker-rells she-FAHK). Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2021 And the Maryland Zoo’s other Coquerel’s sifaka — a male — will be moving to another zoo to be part of a breeding pair, zoo officials said. Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2021 Although these are crucial refuges, Patel said, half of the remaining rare lemurs, including the silky sifaka, indri and ruffed lemur, eke out their survival in smaller, less pristine places. Erik Vance, Star Tribune, 31 Oct. 2020 Although these are crucial refuges, Dr. Patel said, half of the remaining rare lemurs, including the silky sifaka, indri and ruffed lemur, eke out their survival in smaller, less pristine places. Erik Vance, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2020 Meanwhile, the Coquerel’s sifaka, which mainly subsists on plant leaves full of indigestible cellulose, can take up to 24 hours to digest. Kat Eschner, Smithsonian, 12 Dec. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Malagasy

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sifaka was in 1845

Dictionary Entries Near sifaka

Cite this Entry

“Sifaka.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sifaka. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on sifaka

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!