dire wolf en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˈdaɪə wʊlf/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- (US) audio
- /ˈdaɪ.ɚ wʊlf/ (General-American)
Etymology
Calque from taxonomic name †Canis dirus.
Meanings
-
An extinct canine (†Aenocyon dirus) from the Pleistocene epoch, heavier and slightly larger than the modern grey wolf.
Colossal scientists have created three dire wolf pups by using ancient DNA, cloning and gene-editing technology to alter the genes of a gray wolf, the prehistoric dire wolf’s closest living relative, the company announced Monday. […] The three dire wolves are living on a 2,000-acre site at an undisclosed location enclosed by 10-foot-tall (3-meter-tall) “zoo-grade” fencing, where they are monitored by security personnel, drones and live camera feeds.
2025 April 7, Katie Hunt, “Scientists say they have resurrected the dire wolf”, in CNN, Atlanta, Ga.: Warner Bros. Discovery, archived from the original on 08 Apr 2025:
- Synonym of warg (“type of wolf”).
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| direwolf | alternative | lexicographic | |
| dire wolves | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Synonyms
Translations (17)
ja ダイアウルフ (extinct canine) · sv jättevarg (extinct canine) · nl reuzenwolf (extinct canine) · fi hirviösusi (extinct canine) · la canis dirus (extinct canine) · is ógnarúlfur (extinct canine) · ru ужа́сный во́лк (extinct canine) · es lobo terrible (extinct canine) · is gramúlfur (extinct canine) · pl wilk straszny (extinct canine) · el ανταρόλυκος (extinct canine) · sv skräckvarg (extinct canine) · pt lobo-terrível (extinct canine) · lez буьтён жанавур (extinct canine) · tr ulukurt (extinct canine) · es lobo gigante (extinct canine) · ko 다이어울프 (extinct canine)