peccary
[ pek-uh-ree ]
/ ˈpɛk ə ri /
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noun, plural pec·ca·ries, (especially collectively) pec·ca·ry.
any of several medium-sized, bristly, piglike mammals of North and South America, comprising three genera of the family Tayassuidae (New World pigs ), all of which possess a scent gland on the rear of the back.
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Origin of peccary
Borrowed into English around 1605–15 from a Carib language, e.g., Apalai pakira, paquira, or Chayma paquera
Words nearby peccary
pecan, pecan patty, peccable, peccadillo, peccant, peccary, peccatophobia, peccavi, pech, pêche Melba, Pechenga
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for peccary
peccary
/ (ˈpɛkərɪ) /
noun plural -ries or -ry
either of two piglike artiodactyl mammals, Tayassu tajacu (collared peccary) or T. albirostris (white-lipped peccary) of forests of southern North America, Central and South America: family Tayassuidae
Word Origin for peccary
C17: from Carib
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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