prairie wolf

noun

1. coyote.

prairie wolf

noun

1. another name for coyote

Word History and Origins

Origin of prairie wolf¹

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Lewis and Clark called them “prairie wolves” and the name stuck until coyotl, the Aztec word, was adopted.

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Over time, most people began to replace the name prairie wolf with coyote or as some people pronounced it, in vernacular speech, kie-ote.

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Gray wolves — also known as Canis lupus, timber wolves, prairie wolves and lobo — are the largest of the 41 species of wild canids, including red wolves, foxes, coyotes and short-eared dogs.

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Thinking that it seemed of unusual girth, the Baron cut it open with an axe, and found inside the body of a young prairie wolf, probably about a week old.

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Soon other experiences were impressed upon my mind, such as the serenades of prairie wolves, who would gather about our doors and make night hideous with their dismal howls and barks.

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