bandicoot

American  

[ban-di-koot] / ˈbæn dɪˌkut /

noun

1. any of several large East Indian rats of the genus Nesokia.

2. any of several insectivorous and herbivorous marsupials of the family Peramelidae, of Australia and New Guinea: some are endangered.

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bandicoot British  

/ ˈbændɪˌkuːt /

noun

1. any agile terrestrial marsupial of the family Peramelidae of Australia and New Guinea. They have a long pointed muzzle and a long tail and feed mainly on small invertebrates

2. any of three burrowing rats of the genera Bandicota and Nesokia , of S and SE Asia: family Muridae

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Etymology

Origin of bandicoot

First recorded in 1780–90, bandicoot is from the Telugu word pandi-kokku pig-rat

Example Sentences

Abroad, studies have shown wildlife crossings save money and lives, both human and animal, including saving jaguars in Mexico and wallabies and bandicoots in Australia.

From Seattle Times

She stood silently, looking miserable, after she was given three potential definitions for the word “bandicoot.”

From Seattle Times

When recorded population levels of the bandicoots plunged in the years leading up to the late 1980s, conservation teams in the state of Victoria invested millions of dollars setting up captive breeding programmes.

From BBC

Dust lay thick on the floor, there were neat hillocks of chipped cement and the earth where bandicoots, for some obscure reason of their own, had dug.

From Literature

You won’t be required to play as the titular character; instead, you can customize your own bandicoot as you progress through familiar stages and fight enemies from past installments.

From The Verge