taxidermy

[tak-si-dur-mee]

noun

1. the art of preparing and preserving the skins of animals and of stuffing and mounting them in lifelike form.

taxidermy

/ ˈtæksɪˌdɜːmɪ /

noun

1. the art or process of preparing, stuffing, and mounting animal skins so that they have a lifelike appearance

Other Word Forms

• taxidermist noun
• taxidermal adjective
• taxidermic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of taxidermy¹

1810–20; taxi- + Greek dérm ( a ) skin ( derma ¹ ) + -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of taxidermy¹

C19: from Greek taxis arrangement + -dermy, from Greek derma skin

Example Sentences

An egg-laying mammal with the face and feet of a duck, an otter-shaped body and a beaver-inspired tail, many thought the creature was an elaborate hoax; a taxidermy trick.

From BBC

Shirtless, and crowned with what appears to be a wolf’s head taxidermy hat, he issues some sort of challenge while holding what looks like a gold-plated gun — are they toys? — in each hand.

From Salon

"Given the chance, we can really see that independent business can thrive," he added, with "even a taxidermy shop" doing well in the arcade.

From BBC

It’s an everyday scene at Bischoff’s the Animal Kingdom, a Los Angeles taxidermy business that has been preserving animals for 103 years.

From Los Angeles Times

Colorado Gator Farm announced on Monday that it decided to preserve Morris’ body via taxidermy “so that he can continue to scare children for years to come.”

From Los Angeles Times