peccary

[pek-uh-ree]

noun

plural

peccaries ,

plural

peccary .

1. 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.

peccary

/ ˈpɛkərɪ /

noun

1. 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 History and Origins

Origin of peccary¹

Borrowed into English around 1605–15 from a Carib language, e.g., Apalai pakira, paquira, or Chayma paquera

Word History and Origins

Origin of peccary¹

C17: from Carib

Example Sentences

Prehistoric elephants, saber-toothed cats, jaguars, llamas, peccaries, deer, skunks and bears streamed from North America to South.

Read more on Science Daily

The costumes of the cachaceros, representing Africans, are phantasmagoric confections of old jaguar pelts, caiman skulls and peccary teeth.

Read more on New York Times

Also known as collared peccaries, 30 to 50 hellcatting javelina squadrons have been razing the course turf annually during their fall rush.

Read more on Salon

His younger brother says that Jhonattan used his last cartridge to scare off a squadron of peccaries, pig-like herd animals found in the rainforests of South America.

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Bottom: A peccary can be ferocious when threatened and makes a rattling sound by chattering its teeth to scare off predators.

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Related Words

• hog 
• pig