peccary

American  

[pek-uh-ree] / ˈpɛk ə ri /

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.

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peccary British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of peccary

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

Example Sentences

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

From Science Daily

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

From 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.

From Salon

He says he drank rainwater collected in his shoes and ate worms and other insects while hiding from jaguars and peccaries, a type of pig-like mammal.

From BBC

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

From Literature

Related Words

• hog
• pig