raccoon dog

noun

: a small omnivorous canid (Nyctereutes procyonoides) of eastern Asia having a long yellowish-brown coat and facial markings resembling that of a raccoon

called also tanuki

Examples of raccoon dog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The data closely links SARS-CoV-2 to the genetic tracks of wild animals, particularly raccoon dogs sold at the Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market in Wuhan, China, the early epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, the group's analysis says. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 21 Mar. 2023 The report describes finding raccoon dog mtDNA in six samples from two different stalls in the Wuhan market. Byjon Cohen, science.org, 21 Mar. 2023 These findings didn’t establish that raccoon dogs had carried the virus into the market. David Quammen, New York Times, 25 July 2023 Most of the 24 farms that have declared outbreaks house foxes, while some have mink or raccoon dogs. Andrew Joseph, STAT, 11 Aug. 2023 Using a more sensitive threshold, the international team of scientists identified multiple COVID-positive samples containing raccoon dog genetic material, as well as others with genetic signatures of different animals thought to be susceptible to the virus. Benjamin Mueller, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Apr. 2023 Millions of people around the world consume bushmeat, or meat from wild animals—such as the raccoon dogs reported to have been sold at the Wuhan market—that has minimal regulation or monitoring. Jordan Kinard, Scientific American, 8 May 2023 The researchers found that the sample contained 1,252 genetic fragments with 100 percent identity to the raccoon dog genome with no such perfect matches to the human genome. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 6 Apr. 2023 Advertisement The ministry also essentially approved the practice of farming minks, silver and arctic foxes, and raccoon dogs for fur but not meat. Bydennis Normile, science.org, 29 Mar. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of raccoon dog was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near raccoon dog

Cite this Entry

“Raccoon dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raccoon%20dog. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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