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water rat. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
water rat, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
water rat in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
water rat you have here. The definition of the word
water rat will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
water rat, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From water + rat. Compare Saterland Frisian Woaterrotte, West Frisian wetterrôt, Dutch waterrat, German Low German Waterrötte, Waterrött, German Wasserratte, Danish vandrotte, Swedish vattenråtta, Icelandic vatnsrotta.
Pronunciation
Noun
water rat (plural water rats)
- (US) Any of various aquatic or semi-aquatic rodents from Florida and southern Georgia, especially Neofiber alleni; the muskrat.
2004, James McConnachie, Rough Guide to the Loire, page 43:Otters are even harder to spot; the coypu, a North American water rat, is more commonly seen.
- (Australia) A water mouse, especially, the rakali, Hydromys chrysogaster.
1943, H. Lorna Bingham, The Lost Tribe, Sydney: Winn and Co., page 11, column 1:"There [...] you will find the water-hole that is sacred to Biggoon, the giant water rat."
- (informal) A European water vole (Arvicola amphibius, formerly Arvicola terrestris).
- (US, slang) A petty thief or waterfront ruffian.
- (slang) A person fond of water sports.
- (slang, Australia) A member of the water police.
Derived terms
Translations
Hydromys chrysogaster — see also rakali person fond of water sports
member of the water police
See also
Anagrams