gi·raf·fa \jə̇ˈrafə\noun Usage: capitalized Etymology: New Latin, from Italian, giraffe : a genus of artiodactylous mammals comprising the giraffes which together with the okapis and extinct related forms constitute a family and sometimes a superfamily of Artiodactyla • gi·raf·fid\-fə̇d\adjective or noun • gi·raf·foid\-ˌfȯid\adjective