coypu

American  

[koi-poo] / ˈkɔɪ pu /

noun

coypus plural

1. a large, South American, aquatic rodent, Myocastor (orMyopotamus ) coypus, yielding the fur nutria.

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coypu British  

/ ˈkɔɪpuː /

noun

1. an aquatic South American hystricomorph rodent, Myocastor coypus, introduced into Europe: family Capromyidae. It resembles a small beaver with a ratlike tail and is bred in captivity for its soft grey underfur

2. the fur of this animal

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• coypu
  plural
• coypus
  plural

Etymology

Origin of coypu

First recorded in 1785–95; from Latin American Spanish (Chile, Argentina) coipú, from Araucanian coipu

Example Sentences

Skull of a Typical "Rodent" Mammal, the Coypu Rat 96 19.

From More Science From an Easy Chair by Lankester, E. Ray (Edwin Ray), Sir

Coypu, koi′pōō, n. a large rodent in the porcupine section of the order, common in South America—living in burrows near water, feeding on aquatic plants.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

Coypu are abundant in the fresh waters of South America, even small ponds being often tenanted by one or more pairs.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 6 "Coucy-le-Château" to "Crocodile" by Various