dasyure

[das-ee-yoor]

noun

1. any of several nocturnal, carnivorous marsupials of the genus Dasyurus and related genera, of Australia, Tasmania, and nearby islands, typically having a reddish or olive-brown coat marked with white spots.

2. Also called ursine dasyure. any of several related animals, as the Tasmanian devil.

dasyure

/ ˈdæsɪˌjʊə /

noun

1. any small carnivorous marsupial, such as Dasyurus quoll ( eastern dasyure ), of the subfamily Dasyurinae, of Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands See also Tasmanian devil

Other Word Forms

• dasyurine adjective
• dasyuroid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dasyure¹

1830–40; < New Latin Dasyurus name of the genus < Greek dasy- dasy- + -ouros -tailed, adj. derivative of ourá tail

Word History and Origins

Origin of dasyure¹

C19: from New Latin Dasyūrus, from Greek dasus shaggy + oura tail; see _dense

Example Sentences

Kangaroos of eight or nine feet in stature leaped over the primeval bush, and wombats and dasyures of elephantine bulk burrowed in the hill sides, and great lion-like beasts prowled about the plains.

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