Otter

¹ American  

[ot-er] / ˈɒt ər /

noun

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

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otter ² American  

[ot-er] / ˈɒt ər /

noun

plural

otters,

plural

otter

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.

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otter British  

/ 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 called: otter board.  a type of fishing tackle consisting of a weighted board to which hooked and baited lines are attached

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verb

1. to fish using an otter

Etymology

Origin of otter

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

Example Sentences

Avian flu infects birds and sometimes other animals, such as foxes, seals and otters.

From BBC

How sea otter pup was reunited with mom.

From MarketWatch

The MCI logo—an entwined tiger and otter —is one of the most recognizable icons in the world.

From Literature

“Think how you’ll grieve for all you’ll leave behind,” she sings to a herd of otters, koalas, flamingos, giraffes, bunnies and kangaroos fleeing Oz for the safety of the Yellow Brick Underground Railroad.

From Los Angeles Times

The last to arrive was Shelly, the sea otter, who wriggled up the muddy riverbank.

From Literature