Pardus
/ˈpɑːr.dəs/noun
An archaic or scholarly term for a leopard, especially in historical zoological or heraldic contexts.
Did you know?Latin *pardus* was used for the leopard, and the word ultimately traces back through Greek *párdos* to an older Eastern source, reflecting how exotic big cats entered European language through trade and conquest.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
párdos (πάρδος)
“a leopard or spotted big cat”
Latin
Latin
pardus
“a leopard”
Late Latin
Latin
pardus
“a leopard, especially in learned and zoological usage”
Old French
Old French
parde / pard
“a leopard; also used in heraldic and literary contexts”
Middle English
English
pard
“a leopard or panther”
Modern English
English
pardus
“a learned or archaic term for a leopard”