muskrat
[muhsk-rat]
- a large, aquatic, North American rodent, Ondatra zibethica, having a musky odor.
- its thick, light-brown fur, used for coats, for hats, as a trimming, etc.
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Origin of muskrat
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for muskrat
Contemporary Examples
Even in one of the earliest books, the Muskrat philosopher ends up seeing the point of things.
Historical Examples
This little creature has habits not unlike those of the muskrat.
The Meaning of EvolutionSamuel Christian Schmucker
Yes, I know all your traps, of all the sizes you use, from muskrat up to bear!
The House in the WaterCharles G. D. Roberts
As the muskrat placed the mud on the turtle's shell he died.
Stories the Iroquois Tell Their ChildrenMabel Powers
Ictinike wished to do just as Muskrat had done, but he was unable.
The muskrat dodged and turned to the pool, but he was too late.
Followers of the TrailZoe Meyer
muskrat
- a North American beaver-like amphibious rodent, Ondatra zibethica, closely related to but larger than the voles: family Cricetidae
- the brown fur of this animal
- either of two closely related rodents, Ondatra obscurus or Neofiber alleni (round-tailed muskrat)
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Often (informal) shortened to: musquash
Word Origin
C17: by folk etymology, from the same source as musquash
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
Word Origin and History for muskrat
n.
also musk-rat, 1610s, alteration (by association with musk and rat) of musquash, from Algonquian (probably Powhatan) muscascus, literally "it is red," so called for its colorings. From cognate Abenaki muskwessu comes variant form musquash (1620s).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper