racoon
/rə'ku:n/ Cách viết khác : (raccoon) /rə'ku:n/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. An omnivorous nocturnal mammal native to North America and Central America: A racoon (also spelled raccoon) is a medium-sized mammal known for its distinctive black facial mask and ringed tail. It is highly adaptable, intelligent, and known for foraging for food at night.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- We saw a racoon rummaging through the trash cans last night.
- The racoon is easily recognized by the black mask across its eyes.
- Many people find racoons to be clever but troublesome pests in urban areas.
Advanced Usage
- "To wash like a racoon": This phrase references the common but mistaken belief that racoons always wash their food before eating it. This behavior is actually a form of tactile exploration and dousing, common when they are near water.
- The child washed his apple like a racoon before taking a bite.
Variants and Related Words
- Raccoon (n): The more common alternate spelling of "racoon".
- Procyon lotor (n): The scientific name for the common racoon.
- Raccoon dog (n): A separate species () native to East Asia, named for its racoon-like facial markings.
Synonyms
- Coon (n, informal): A common, informal shortening of "racoon".
- Ringtail (n, informal): A nickname referring to the animal's distinctive tail.
Related Phrases
- Raccoon eyes: A colloquial term for dark circles or bruising around the eyes, reminiscent of a racoon's mask.
- After the accident, he had a pair of raccoon eyes for a week.
Noun
- an omnivorous nocturnal mammal native to North America and Central America