Any one of several species of large odd-toed ungulates belonging to
Tapirus,
Elasmognathus, and allied genera. They have a long prehensile upper lip, short ears, short and stout legs, a short, thick tail, and short, close hair. They have three toes on the hind feet, and four toes on the fore feet, but the outermost toe is of little use. [
1913 Webster]
" The best-known species are the Indian tapir (Tapirus Indicus), native of the East Indies and Malacca, which is black with a broad band of white around the middle, and the common American tapir (Tapirus Americanus), which, when adult, is dull brown. Several others species inhabit the Andes and Central America."
[1913 Webster]