panda
    n 1: large black-and-white herbivorous mammal of bamboo forests
         of China and Tibet; in some classifications considered a
         member of the bear family or of a separate family
         Ailuropodidae [syn: giant panda, panda, panda bear,
         coon bear, Ailuropoda melanoleuca]
    2: reddish-brown Old World raccoon-like carnivore; in some
       classifications considered unrelated to the giant pandas
       [syn: lesser panda, red panda, panda, bear cat, cat
       bear, Ailurus fulgens]

panda \pan"da\ (p[a^]n"d[.a]), n. (Zool.)
   1. A small Asiatic mammal (Ailurus fulgens) having fine
      soft fur, which inhabits the mountains of Northern India.
      It was once thought to be related to the bears, but is now
      believed to be more closely related to raccoons. It has
      reddish-brown fur on the back and sides, and black fur on
      the legs and underside. Called also the lesser panda.
      [1913 Webster +PJC]

   2. The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), a bearlike
      black-and white mammal now found wild only in the central
      forests of China, which lives mainly on on bamboo. It is
      an endangered species, and is a popular attraction in the
      few zoos which have bveen able to obtain specimens.
      [PJC]