agouti
|a-gou-ti|
B2
/əˈɡuːti/
small rodent
Etymology
Etymology Information
'agouti' originates from the Tupi language, specifically the word 'akuti,' where 'a-' meant 'small' and 'kuti' referred to a type of rodent.
Historical Evolution
'akuti' transformed into the Portuguese word 'agutí,' and eventually became the modern English word 'agouti'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to a specific type of rodent, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a rodent of the genus Dasyprocta, native to Central and South America, known for its coarse fur and long legs.
The agouti is often found in tropical forests.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/06/02 20:06