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

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

From The Way of the Wild by Harry Rountree

He wanted the gnu, and would be very pleased if the ratel would go away and leave it to him.

From The Way of the Wild by Harry Rountree

That lion, however, might have turned into Satan himself, for all the ratel cared.

From The Way of the Wild by Harry Rountree

The ratel never moved, although he was moved—astoundingly.

From The Way of the Wild by Harry Rountree

Now, that lion did not want the ratel at all, or his wife, or his family, or anything that was his.

From The Way of the Wild by Harry Rountree