coati

co·a·ti

noun \kə-ˈwä-tē, kō-ˈä-, kwä-ˈtē\

Definition of COATI

: either of two tropical American mammals (Nasua nasua and North narica) related to the raccoon but with a longer body and tail and a long flexible snout

Illustration of COATI

Origin of COATI

Portuguese quati, coati, from Tupi kwáti

First Known Use: 1676

Rhymes with COATI

chapati, karate, Komati, Marathi, metate, Scarlatti, Siswati, Tol'yatti

coati

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Coati (Nasua nasua)—Dick Robinson—Bruce Coleman Ltd.

Any of three species (genus Nasua, family Procyonidae) of raccoonlike omnivores, found in wooded regions from the southwestern U.S. through South America. The coati has a long, flexible snout and a slender, darkly banded tail that it often carries erect. The male measures 29–54 in. (73–136 cm) in length (half of which is tail) and weighs 10–24 lbs (4.5–11 kg). Females and young commonly live in bands of five to 40; males are solitary, joining bands only during mating season. Coatis feed by day on seeds, fruits, eggs, and small animals.

Variants of COATI

coati or coatimundi