coypu

[koi-poo]

noun, plural coy·pus, (especially collectively) coy·pu.

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

Origin of coypu

1785–95; < American Spanish coipú < Araucanian coipu

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for coypu

Historical Examples of coypu

Coypu are abundant in the fresh waters of South America, even small ponds being often tenanted by one or more pairs.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 6
Various
Another animal that is at least in one respect allied to the 'possum is the coypu.
The Gold Diggings of Cape Horn
John R. Spears
In habits and otherwise the coypu is much like the beaver, but is a smaller animal, and has a rounder tail.
The Land of Fire
Mayne Reid
One was the common Magellan otter (Lutra felina), the other a nutria (Myopotamus coypu).
Cruise of the 'Alert'
R. W. Coppinger
The coypu, sometimes called the South American beaver, inhabits the river-banks, and is highly prized for its fur.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 2
Various

British Dictionary definitions for coypu

coypu

noun plural -pus or -pu

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
the fur of this animal

Also called: nutria

Word Origin for coypu

C18: from American Spanish coipú, from Araucanian kóypu

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