viverrine

or vi·ver·rid

[ vahy-ver-ahyn, -in, vi- ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the Viverridae, a family of small carnivorous mammals including the civets, genets, palm cats, etc.

noun

1. a viverrine animal.

viverrine

/ vaɪˈvɛraɪn /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Viverridae, a family of small to medium-sized predatory mammals of Eurasia and Africa, including genets, civets and mongooses: order Carnivora (carnivores)

noun

1. any animal belonging to the family Viverridae

viverrine

/ vī-vĕr′ĭn,-īn′ /

1. Characteristic of or resembling civets or their kin.

Word History and Origins

Origin of viverrine¹

1790–1800; < New Latin viverrīnus, equivalent to Viverr ( a ) a genus name ( Latin vīverra the ferret or a similar animal; akin to Lithuanian voverė̃, Old Russian věveritsa, Old English ācwern, Old High German eihhurno squirrel) + -īnus -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of viverrine¹

C19: from New Latin viverrīnus, from Latin viverra a ferret

Example Sentences

Viverrine, vī-ver′in, adj. pertaining to the Viverrid, one of the four families of the luroidea section of Carnivora.

From Project Gutenberg

The general form is Viverrine, and the hallux is sometimes present though small.

From Project Gutenberg

There is the full Viverrine dentition, with five premolars in the upper jaw; but this may be an abnormality.

From Project Gutenberg