dasyure

[ das-ee-yoor ]

noun

1. any of several nocturnal, carnivorous marsupials of the genus Dasyurus and related genera, of Australia, Tasmania, and nearby islands, typically having a reddish or olive-brown coat marked with white spots.
2. Also called ursine dasyure. any of several related animals, as the Tasmanian devil.

dasyure

/ ˈdæsɪˌjʊə /

noun

1. any small carnivorous marsupial, such as Dasyurus quoll ( eastern dasyure ), of the subfamily Dasyurinae, of Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands See also Tasmanian devil

Other Words From

• das·y·u·rine [das-i-, yoor, -ahyn, -in], adjective
• dasy·uroid adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dasyure¹

1830–40; < New Latin Dasyurus name of the genus < Greek dasy- dasy- + -ouros -tailed, adj. derivative of ourá tail

Word History and Origins

Origin of dasyure¹

C19: from New Latin Dasyūrus, from Greek dasus shaggy + oura tail; see dense

Example Sentences

The ursine dasyure (Sarcophilus ursinus), often called the “Tasmanian Devil,” constitutes a distinct genus.

From Project Gutenberg