Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun (Zoöl.) A South American rodent (Myopotamus coypus), allied to the beaver. It produces a valuable fur called nutria.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A large, crepuscular, semiaquatic rodent (Myocastor coypus) resembling a large rat, having bright orange-yellow incisors, native to South America, Europe, Asia and North America, valued for its fur in eastern Europe and central Asia and considered a pest elsewhere.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun aquatic South American rodent resembling a small beaver; bred for its fur

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[American Spanish coipo, coipú, from Mapuche koypu.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Spanish coipú, from Mapudungun koypu.

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Examples

  • They are also known as coypu, Greek for mouse and beaver and the preferred designation of biologists.

    Into the Story DAVID MARANISS 2010

  • They are also known as coypu, Greek for mouse and beaver and the preferred designation of biologists.

    Into the Story DAVID MARANISS 2010

  • They are also known as coypu, Greek for mouse and beaver and the preferred designation of biologists.

    Into the Story DAVID MARANISS 2010

  • They are also known as coypu, Greek for mouse and beaver and the preferred designation of biologists.

    Into the Story DAVID MARANISS 2010

  • Otherwise known as the coypu, the nutria were introduced to south Louisiana in the 1930s to be raised for their fur.

    TREND HUNTER - The Latest Trends 2010

  • Otherwise known as the coypu, the nutria were introduced to south Louisiana in the 1930s to be raised for their fur.

    TREND HUNTER - The Latest Trends 2010

  • Otherwise known as the coypu, the nutria were introduced to south Louisiana in the 1930s to be raised for their fur.

    TREND HUNTER - The Latest Trends 2010

  • Otherwise known as the coypu, the nutria were introduced to south Louisiana in the 1930s to be raised for their fur.

    TREND HUNTER - The Latest Trends 2010

  • In most other places they're known as coypu, the name given them by the Arucanians, an indigenous people of south-central Chile and Argentina, the animal's native territory.

    Starbulletin Headlines 2009

  • These sturdy immigrants threaten some of our 46 native ladybirds in the manner of the coypu and grey squirrel.

    John Godber swaps Hull for Wakefield 2011

Comments

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  • Cute word.

    December 12, 2018