\Ar`ma*dil"lo\ ([aum]r`m[.a]*d[i^]l"l[-o]), n.; pl.
{Armadillos} (-l[=o]z). [Sp. armadillo, dim. of armado armed,
p. p. of armar to arm. So called from being armed with a bony
shell.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any edentate animal if the family {Dasypid[ae]}, peculiar
    to America. The body and head are incased in an armor
    composed of small bony plates. The armadillos burrow in
    the earth, seldom going abroad except at night. When
    attacked, they curl up into a ball, presenting the armor
    on all sides. Their flesh is good food. There are several
    species, one of which (the peba) is found as far north as
    Texas. See {Peba}, {Poyou}, {Tatouay}.
(b) A genus of small isopod Crustacea that can roll
    themselves into a ball.