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bandicoot

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noun ban·di·coot \ 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

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Recent Examples of bandicoot from the Web

From Buley Rockhole, take the two-mile Florence Creek Walk through the monsoon rainforest and spot a range of wildlife, from unique bird species such as kingfishers and fairy-wrens, to bandicoots (small terrestrial marsupials).

— Smithsonian, "Discover more of the Northern Territory's Top End.," 7 Apr. 2017
Participants regularly see active nocturnal snakes, lizards, possums, bandicoots, birds, insects, and other wildlife.

— jordi lippe-mcgraw, Condé Nast Traveler, "8 Tours That Are Better at Night," 3 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bandicoot.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Origin and Etymology of bandicoot

Telugu pandikokku

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First Known Use: 1793

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See words that rhyme with bandicoot Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bandicoot

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