any small active African mammal of the family Macroscelididae and order Macroscelidea, having an elongated nose, large ears, and long hind legs
elephant shrew in American English
noun
any of several African insectivores of the family Macroscelididae, having long hind legs and a long, sensitive snout
Word origin
[1865–70]This word is first recorded in the period 1865–70. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: black belt, figure skating, goulash, racism, valence