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chevrotain

noun
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chev·​ro·​tain | \ ˈshevrəˌtān \
variants: or less commonly chevrotin \ -​ˌtan \
plural -s

Definition of chevrotain

: any of several very small hornless deerlike ruminant mammals of tropical Asia, the Malay archipelago, and West Africa superficially resembling the musk deer, the male having short tusks, and being among the smallest known ruminants, standing only about a foot high

— called also mouse deer

— see water chevrotain

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History and Etymology for chevrotain

French, diminutive of chevrot kid, fawn, from Middle French, diminutive of chèvre goat

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“Chevrotain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chevrotain. Accessed 7 Mar. 2021.

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