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Hystricidae

plural noun
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Hys·​tric·​i·​dae | \ hə̇ˈstrisəˌdē \

Definition of Hystricidae

: a family of Old World hystricomorph rodents comprising the terrestrial porcupines that was formerly extended to include the New World arboreal porcupines — compare erethizontidae

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History and Etymology for Hystricidae

New Latin, from Hystric-, Hystrix, type genus + -idae

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Cite this Entry

“Hystricidae.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Hystricidae. Accessed 24 January 2020.

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