jaguarundi

noun

jag·​ua·​run·​di ˌzha-gwə-ˈrən-dē How to pronounce jaguarundi (audio)
ˌja-
variants or less commonly jaguarondi
: a slender long-tailed short-legged black, gray, or reddish wildcat (Felis yagouaroundi) chiefly of Central and South America

Examples of jaguarundi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Over the past 80 years, the federal agency has spent $90.4 million to buy nearly 158,000 acres of land in the Rio Grande Valley to develop a cross-border wildlife corridor for the ocelot, jaguarundi and migratory birds. Sergio Chapa, Houston Chronicle, 23 Oct. 2019 In addition to creating an 185-acre wildlife corridor on its nearly 800-acre property, the company has pledged to dedicate another 1,250 acres of land for ocelot and jaguarundi conservation. Sergio Chapa, Houston Chronicle, 23 Oct. 2019 After getting in contact with the Horco Molle nature reserve, it was confirmed that Tito was actually a jaguarundi, a type of small wild cat that’s native to North and South America. Maria Pasquini, PEOPLE.com, 22 Nov. 2019 Suddenly, sleek and black as night, a small wildcat called a jaguarundi descended the trunk of a Brazil nut tree, leaped to the forest floor and ran off into the jungle. Jason G. Goldman, Scientific American, 12 June 2019 The jaguarundi is a small, close to housecat-sized wild cat common in central and South America. Ben Raines, AL.com, 20 Mar. 2018 Long, squat, flat-faced jaguarundis have a uniform coat, while small, agile ocelots sport striking coat patterns. National Geographic, 6 May 2017 Long, squat, flat-faced jaguarundis have a uniform coat, while small, agile ocelots sport striking coat patterns. National Geographic, 6 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jaguarundi.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish, from Old Guarani yaguarundi; akin to Tupi jawarundɨ jaguarundi

First Known Use

circa 1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jaguarundi was circa 1885

Dictionary Entries Near jaguarundi

Cite this Entry

“Jaguarundi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jaguarundi. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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