muskrat

[ muhsk-rat ]

/ ˈmʌskˌræt /

noun, plural musk·rats, (especially collectively) musk·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.

Nearby words

muskmelon, muskogean, muskogee, muskone, muskox, muskrat, musky, muslem, muslim, muslim brothers, society of the, muslim calendar

Origin of muskrat

1680–90, Americanism; alteration, by folk etymology, of musquash

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for muskrat

Even in one of the earliest books, the Muskrat philosopher ends up seeing the point of things.
Tove Jansson, Queen of the Moomins|John Garth|August 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The muskrat skin was also used as the unit in the later days of the trade.
The Character and Influence of the Indian Trade in Wisconsin|Frederick Jackson Turner
In the mud alongside of a pool of water, the tracks of that busy little animal the muskrat, can be seen.
Science of Trapping|Elmer Harry Kreps
The muskrat with a single missing tooth never enters the real race of life at all.
Winter|Dallas Lore Sharp

Now, Peter Mink learned that there was a muskrat who had built him a house in the bank of the duck pond.
The Tale of Peter Mink|Arthur Scott Bailey
The muskrat comes up through the passage, pushing a bunch of moss or sticks and does not notice passing the trapdoors.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various

British Dictionary definitions for muskrat

muskrat

/ (ˈmʌskˌræt) /

noun plural -rats or -rat

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)

Often (informal) shortened to: musquash

Word Origin for muskrat

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