nutria

[noo-tree-uh, nyoo-]

noun

the coypu.

the fur of the coypu, resembling beaver, used for making coats, hats, suit trimmings, etc.

Origin of nutria

1810–20, Americanism; < Spanish: otter, variant of lutria < Medieval Latin, for Latin lutra

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

Examples from the Web for nutria

Historical Examples of nutria

The fur of the rabbit and nutria are used in the manufacture of felt hats.
A Civic Biology
George William Hunter
Nutria is the commercial term for the fur of the South American coypou.
The Accomplished Muskrat Trapper
A. E. (Arno Erdman) Schmidt
Nutria, nū′tri-a, n. the fur of the coypou, a South American beaver.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)
Various
A nutria appeared and some friendly dogs, and we heard of tame foxes and diminutive ponies to be seen next day.
Argentina From A British Point Of View
Various
It was during this part of our day's journey that the peons made two captures of live animals in an armadillo and a nutria.
Argentina From A British Point Of View
Various

British Dictionary definitions for nutria

nutria

noun

another name for the coypu, used esp to refer to its fur

a brown colour with a grey tinge

Word Origin for nutria

C19: from Spanish: otter, variant of lutria, ultimately from Latin lūtra otter

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 nutria

1836, from Spanish nutria "otter," also lutria, from Latin lutra (see otter).