pentail

noun

1
or less commonly pen-tailed tree shrew
ˈ⸗ˌ⸗-
: a tree shrew (genus Ptilocercus) of Malaysia and adjacent islands that is dark brown above and white below and has a naked tail bilaterally fringed with long stiff hairs on its distal third
2
or less commonly pen-tailed phalanger : a small New Guinea phalanger (genus Distoechurus) related to the mouse opossums but distinguished by a tail fringed with long hairs
3
[by alteration] : pintail sense 1

Word History

Etymology

pen entry 3 + tail

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Cite this Entry

“Pentail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pentail. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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