bandicoot

ban·di·coot

noun \ˈban-di-ˌküt\

Definition of BANDICOOT

1

: any of several very large rats (genera Bandicota and Nesokia) of southern Asia destructive to crops

2

: any of various small chiefly insectivorous and herbivorous marsupial mammals (family Peramelidae or family Peroryctidae) of Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea

Illustration of BANDICOOT

Origin of BANDICOOT

Telugu pandikokku

First Known Use: 1813

Rhymes with BANDICOOT

absolute, Aleut, arrowroot, Asyût, attribute, autoroute, bathing suit, birthday suit, bitterroot, bodysuit, boilersuit, bumbershoot, business suit, comminute, constitute, contribute, convolute, destitute, disrepute, dissolute, execute, follow suit, gingerroot, hot pursuit, institute, involute, kiwifruit, leisure suit, malamute, overshoot, parachute, passion fruit, persecute, point-and-shoot, prosecute, prostitute, qiviut, resolute, restitute, revolute, run-and-shoot, rural route, subacute, substitute, troubleshoot, undershoot

bandicoot

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta).—Warren Garst—Tom Stack and Associates

Any of about 22 species of marsupials (family Peramelidae) found in Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea, and nearby islands. Bandicoots are 12–30 in. (30–80 cm) long, including the 4- to 12-in. (10– to 30-cm) sparsely haired tail. They have a stout, coarse-haired body, a tapered muzzle, and hindlimbs longer than their forelimbs. Unlike other marsupials, bandicoots have a placenta. They are terrestrial, solitary animals that dig pits to search for insect and plant food. Farmers consider them pests. All species have declined, and some are now endangered.