Etymology dictionary. 2014.
muskrat — ☆ muskrat [musk′rat΄ ] n. pl. muskrats or muskrat 1. any of various American rodents (family Cricetidae) living in water and having glossy brown fur, a long tail, webbed hind feet, and a musklike odor 2. its fur … English World dictionary
Muskrat — Musk rat , n. 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A North American aquatic fur bearing rodent ({Ondatra zibethica} formerly {Fiber zibethicus}). It resembles a rat in color and having a long scaly tail, but the tail is compressed, the hind feet are webbed, and the… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
muskrat — ► NOUN ▪ a large semiaquatic North American rodent with a musky smell, valued for its fur … English terms dictionary
Muskrat — For the G.I. Joe character, see Muskrat (G.I. Joe). Muskrat Temporal range: Recent Conservation status … Wikipedia
muskrat — /musk rat /, n., pl. muskrats, (esp. collectively) muskrat. 1. a large, aquatic, North American rodent, Ondatra zibethica, having a musky odor. 2. its thick, light brown fur, used for coats, for hats, as a trimming, etc. [1680 90, Amer.; alter.,… … Universalium
muskrat — noun (plural muskrat or muskrats) Etymology: probably by folk etymology from a word of Algonquian origin; akin to Massachusett musquash muskrat Date: 1607 an aquatic rodent (Ondatra zibethica) of the United States and Canada with a long scaly… … New Collegiate Dictionary
muskrat — UK [ˈmʌskræt] / US [ˈmʌsˌkræt] noun [countable] Word forms muskrat : singular muskrat plural muskrats a North American animal hunted for its thick brown fur … English dictionary
muskrat — /ˈmʌskræt/ (say muskrat) noun (plural muskrats, muskrat) 1. a large aquatic North American rodent, Ondatra zibethica, with a musky smell. 2. its thick, light brown fur. {alteration, by folk etymology, of musquash} …
muskrat — Desman Des man (d[e^]s man), n. [Cf. Sw. desman musk.] (Zo[ o]l.) An amphibious, insectivorous mammal found in Russia ({Myogale moschata}). It is allied to the moles, but is called {muskrat} by some English writers. [Written also {d[ae]sman}.] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
muskrat — noun a large semiaquatic North American rodent with a musky smell, valued for its fur. [Ondatra zibethicus.] ↘the fur of the muskrat … English new terms dictionary
