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cottontail

American  
[kot-n-teyl] / ˈkɒt nˌteɪl /

noun

  1. any small North American rabbit of the genus Sylvilagus, having a brownish coat and fluffy white tail. tails.


cottontail British  
/ ˈkɒtənˌteɪl /

noun

  1. any of several common rabbits of the genus Sylvilagus, such as S. floridanus ( eastern cottontail ), of American woodlands

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of cottontail

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; cotton + tail 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The last day I remember in Chemung County was when we were about eight years old and wild as a pair of cottontails.

From Literature

Each morning, I knew when to scan the trails for cottontails just starting their day.

From Los Angeles Times

The one that the public will soon see there, however, isn’t a typical little brown cottontail.

From New York Times

Each morning, I knew when to scan the trails for cottontails just starting their days.

From Los Angeles Times

Listed as threatened since 1990, these long-lived reptiles don’t live alone; they can dig up to 25 burrows a year—and share the space with creatures from geckos to cottontails.

From National Geographic