Är'ma-dil'lo, n.

n.; pl. ÄR-MA-DIL'LÖS. [Sp. armadillo, dim. of armado, armed, p. p. of armar, to arm. So called from being armed with a bony shell.] (Zoöl.) (a.) An edentate animal of the genus Dasypus, peculiar to South America, and having the body encased in an armor composed of small bony plates. It burrows in the earth, where it lies during the daytime, seldom going abroad except at night. It subsists chiefly on fruits, roots, and insects; sometimes on flesh. When attacked, it rolls itself into a ball, presenting its armor on all sides to any assailant. Its flesh is esteemed good food. (b.) A genus of small isapod crustacea, that can roll themselves into a ball. Dana.

Armadillo (Dasypus sexcinctus).