any edentate mammal of the family Dasypodidae of Central and South America and S North America, such as Priodontes giganteus (giant armadillo). They are burrowing animals, with peglike rootless teeth and a covering of strong horny plates over most of the body
2. fairy armadillo
Word origin
C16: from Spanish, diminutive of armado armed (man), from Latin armātus armed; compare armada