otter

¹

[ ot-er ]

noun

, plural ot·ters, (especially collectively) ot·ter.

1. any of several aquatic, furbearing, weasellike mammals of the genus Lutra and related genera, having webbed feet and a long, slightly flattened tail.
2. the fur of an otter.

Otter

²

[ ot-er ]

noun

1. (in the Volsunga Saga ) a son of Hreidmar, who assumed the form of an otter when fishing, and who was killed by Loki while in that form.

otter

/ ˈɒtə /

noun

1. any freshwater carnivorous musteline mammal of the subfamily Lutrinae, esp Lutra lutra ( Eurasian otter ), typically having smooth fur, a streamlined body, and webbed feet
2. the fur of any of these animals
3. Also calledotter board a type of fishing tackle consisting of a weighted board to which hooked and baited lines are attached

verb

1. to fish using an otter

Word History and Origins

Origin of otter¹

before 900; Middle English otter, oter, Old English otor, ottor; cognate with Dutch, German otter; compare Greek hýdra water serpent ( hydra ), Sanskrit udra- otter; akin to water

Word History and Origins

Origin of otter¹

Old English otor; related to Old Norse otr, Old High German ottar , Greek hudra , Sanskrit udra

Example Sentences

Otter promises that it passes four times as many military drop tests as required.

From Popular-Science

The $10 tour lets guests ask animal experts questions about cute sea creatures, which include otters and coral-dwelling fish, and peek into areas of the aquarium that aren’t open to the public.

From Washington Post

Knowing more about what makes otters tick might help scientists prep them for a changing world in the best way possible.

From Popular-Science

You start imagining otters heading up banks and schools and public-health commissions.

From Quartz

One explanation for this shift may be a female preference for novel songs, a focus for future study, Otter says.

From Science News

He called Governor Otter a “salesman for the government,” a product no decent Idahoan would ever buy.

From The Daily Beast

He had shot an otter on one of his journeys along the stream, but said he had seen hardly a trace of beavers.

From Project Gutenberg

Of marine mammals the most characteristic are the sea-lion, fur-seal, sea-otter and harbour-seal.

From Project Gutenberg

At that moment White Otter discovered something far away to the northward.

From Project Gutenberg

White Otter shot his arrow at the foremost rider, and the Pawnee fell to the plain.

From Project Gutenberg

They had gone a considerable distance when White Otter suddenly stopped and dismounted.

From Project Gutenberg