coyote

[kahy-oh-tee, kahy-oht]

noun

plural

coyotes ,

plural

coyote .

1. Also called prairie wolf. a buffy-gray, wolflike canid, Canis latrans, of North America, distinguished from the wolf by its relatively small size and its slender build, large ears, and narrow muzzle.

2. Slang.,  a contemptible person, especially an avaricious or dishonest one.

3. American Indian Legend.,  the coyote regarded as a culture hero and trickster by American Indian tribes of the West.

4. Slang.,  a person who smuggles immigrants, especially Latin Americans, into the U.S. for a fee.

coyote

/ kɔɪˈəʊt, ˈkɔɪəʊt, kɔɪˈəʊtɪ /

noun

1. Also called: prairie wolf. a predatory canine mammal, Canis latrans, related to but smaller than the wolf, roaming the deserts and prairies of North America

2. (in Native American legends of the West) a trickster and culture hero represented as a man or as an animal

Word History and Origins

Origin of coyote¹

1825–35; earlier cuiota, cayota < Mexican Spanish coyote < Nahuatl coyōtl

Word History and Origins

Origin of coyote¹

C19: from Mexican Spanish, from Nahuatl coyotl

Example Sentences

“I thought I’d just call and wake up the coyotes,” said a purchasing agent from San Bernardino County, who buzzed the phone from work.

From Los Angeles Times

Catching the morning light, Mr Pourahmad framed a male coyote's amber eye within the curve of a female's black‑tipped tail.

From BBC

Bright green coyote mint adds more fragrance and color with its violet puffs of flowers.

From Los Angeles Times

The animal started biting and dragging a 6-year-old boy away at a local park; his mother intervened and scared the coyote away.

From Los Angeles Times

Video of the incident shows Enoch in the distance near a playground, screaming in panic and struggling to get up as the coyote scratched and bit him.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• mutt 
• pooch 
• pup