ratel

American  

[reyt-l, raht-l] / ˈreɪt l, ˈrɑt l /

noun

1. a badgerlike carnivore, Mellivora capensis, of Africa and India.

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ratel British  

/ ˈreɪtəl /

noun

1. Also called: honey badger.  a musteline mammal, Mellivora capensis , inhabiting wooded regions of Africa and S Asia. It has a massive body, strong claws, and a thick coat that is paler on the back and it feeds on honey and small animals

2. a six-wheeled armoured vehicle

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Etymology

Origin of ratel

1770–80; < Afrikaans < Dutch dialect ratel, variant of raat honeycomb; perhaps originally a compound with this word, referring to the animal's fondness for honey

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ratel

Now, a ratel will do almost as much for honey as a bear for pork, a leopard for little "bow-wows," or a man for diamonds.

From The Way of the Wild by Rountree, Harry

At least, they might have been house-flies for all the notice the ratel took of them, save now and then to bunch a dozen or so off his cowled head carelessly.

From The Way of the Wild by Rountree, Harry

Now it was plain to the party that the ratel was at that moment in pursuit of his profession, and in full pursuit of the indicator.

From The Young Yagers A Narrative of Hunting Adventures in Southern Africa by Reid, Mayne

If he had done with the ratel, the ratel had not done with him.

From The Way of the Wild by Rountree, Harry

The ratel either could not or would not.

From The Way of the Wild by Rountree, Harry