coypu

[ koi-poo ]

/ ˈkɔɪ pu /

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

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

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Origin of coypu

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

Words nearby coypu

coyly, coyote, Coyote State, coyotillo, Coypel, coypu, coz, coze, cozen, cozenage, cozey

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use coypu in a sentence

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
It proved to be identical with the Chilian species, Myopotamus coypu.
Cruise of the 'Alert'|R. W. Coppinger

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

British Dictionary definitions for coypu

coypu

/ (ˈkɔɪpuː) /

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