Tasmanian devil

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noun

a small, predacious marsupial, Sarcophilus harrisii, of Tasmania, having a black coat with white patches: its dwindling population is now confined to isolated areas.

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Origin of Tasmanian devil

First recorded in 1885–90

Words nearby Tasmanian devil

taskwork, Tasm., Tasman, Tasmania, Tasmanian, Tasmanian devil, Tasmanian wolf, Tasman Sea, tass, tassel, tassel flower

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Tasmanian devil in a sentence

Wiseman as Samuel is alternately Devil-child and a cute young kid.
Grief: The Real Monster in The Babadook|Tim Teeman|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The West would be wise to think of Putin as the devil it knows.
Think Putin’s Bad? Wait for the Next Guy|Anna Nemtsova|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Can we imagine Stephen Vincent Benet writing The Devil and Barbara Boxer?
Election Day Is Scarier Than Halloween|P. J. O’Rourke|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For both the possessed and the priest-practitioner, driving out the devil can be dangerous to mind, body and spirit.
Pope Francis Gives Blessing to Exorcist Conference|Barbie Latza Nadeau|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He says certain books, and even scary Halloween horror movies, tempt people to the devil.
Pope Francis Gives Blessing to Exorcist Conference|Barbie Latza Nadeau|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Thus was the man left entirely to the devil, not even his life being reserved, as in the case of Job.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
He desired his secretary to go to the devil, but, thinking better of it, he recalled him as he reached the door.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
I cannot believe that a good God would create or tolerate a Devil, nor that he would allow the Devil to tempt man.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
As the devil never wanted insinuators, I shall observe, that I learned a way how to make a man dream of what I pleased.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe
One day she had heard a man say, "If there is a drought we shall have the devil to pay with our stock before winter is over."
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson

British Dictionary definitions for Tasmanian devil

Tasmanian devil

noun

a small ferocious carnivorous marsupial, Sarcophilus harrisi, of Tasmania, having black fur with pale markings, strong jaws, and short legs: family DasyuridaeAlso called: ursine dasyure

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012