Pard (legendary creature)

A pard is an imaginary animal that is listed in Medieval bestiaries. They were felines with spotted coats and were extremely fast (reminiscent of a cheetah). They were believed to mate with lions to produce leopards.

The English noun pard derives from Middle English parde, from Old French via Latin pardus, from Greek πάρδος párdos ("male panther"). The word pard is probably of Iranian origin; akin to Sogdian purdhank. and Persian پلنگ Palang.

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