| 释义 |
bandicoot|ˈbændɪkuːt|
Also 9 -icoote, -ycoot.
[corruption of Telugu pandi-kokku, lit. ‘pig-rat’ (Col. Yule).]
1. A large Indian rat (Mus malabaricus or giganteus), as big as a cat, and very destructive. (Wrongly used in quot. 1789 for the Musk-rat.)
1789Munro Narrat. 32 The Bandicoot, or musk rat, is another troublesome animal..from its offensive smell. 1813J. Forbes Orient. Mem. III. 41 Bandicoote rat[s] frequently undermine ware houses and destroy every kind of merchandise. 1860Tennent Ceylon I. 150 Another favourite article of food with the coolies is the pig-rat or Bandicoot.
2. A genus of insectivorous Australian marsupials (Perameles), somewhat resembling the above.
1827P. Cunningham Two Years N.S. Wales I. xvii. 316 The bandicoot is about four times the size of a rat, without a tail, and burrows in the ground or in hollow trees. 1831Tyerman & Benn. Voy. & Trav. II. xxxvi. 149 The dogs also worried a bandy-coot..an animal..with a head and tail resembling those of a rat, and a pouch under the belly for the reception of its young. 1839Todd Cycl. Anat. & Phys. III. 260/2 Marsupials commonly known in Australia by the name of Bandicoots. 1865J. G. Wood Homes without H. 307 The second Building Mammal on our list is..the..Rabbit-eared Bandicoot. 1888‘R. Boldrewood’ Robb. under Arms I. i. 7 I'd be as miserable as a bandicoot. 1936I. L. Idriess Cattle King xxiii. 203 Country that was tiptop a few years ago now wouldn't feed a bandicoot. |