dire wolf
"Dire wolf" can refer to both an extinct species of large wolves and a mythical creature in fantasy literature.
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Definition
C1Paleontology
(scientific)An extinct species of large wolf that lived in the Americas during the Pleistocene epoch.
Example
- Fossils of the dire wolf have been found in the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles.
B2Fantasy Literature
(fiction)A large, fierce, and often magical wolf featured in fantasy stories.
Example
- In the fantasy novel, the hero tames a dire wolf to help in his quest.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "dire wolf":
white wolfwolf dogwolf hooktimber wolfwolf at the doorlone wolfertiger wolflone wolfblack dogwar dog