raccoon

ra·coon

[ra-koon]

noun

plural

raccoons ,

plural

raccoon .

1. a nocturnal omnivore, Procyon lotor, the largest member of the family Procyonidae, having a masklike black stripe across the eyes, a sharp snout, a bushy, ringed tail, and very dexterous front paws, native to North and Central America and introduced elsewhere for its valuable fur: more than 20 subspecies have been named.

2. the thick, brownish-gray fur of this animal, with gray, black-tipped guard hairs.

3. any of various related animals of the genus Procyon, of Central American islands, some now rare.

raccoon

/ rəˈkuːn /

noun

1. any omnivorous mammal of the genus Procyon , esp P. lotor ( North American raccoon ), inhabiting forests of North and Central America and the Caribbean: family Procyonidae , order Carnivora (carnivores). Raccoons have a pointed muzzle, long tail, and greyish-black fur with black bands around the tail and across the face

2. the fur of the North American raccoon

Word History and Origins

Origin of raccoon¹

An Americanism dating back to 1600–10; from Virginia Algonquian (English spelling) aroughcun, from arahkunem “he scratches with his hands”

Word History and Origins

Origin of raccoon¹

C17: from Algonquian ärähkun , from ärähkuněm he scratches with his hands

Example Sentences

The bees and the mice and the deer and the frogs and the raccoons and the squirrels and the snakes were all getting ready for cold weather.

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Just a week earlier, customs officials said they had arrested another smuggler carrying snakes, tortoises and a raccoon.

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In photographs I look like a raccoon dressed as Batman.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I have circles under my eyes so big and dark I look like a raccoon dressed as Batman.

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The first season, titled “Cabin in the Woods,” followed a mouse, a raccoon and a bullfrog.

Read more on Los Angeles Times