meerkat

American  

[meer-kat] / ˈmɪər kæt /

noun

1. suricate.

---

meerkat British  

/ ˈmɪəˌkæt /

noun

1. any of several South African mongooses, esp Suricata suricatta ( slender-tailed meerkat or suricate ), which has a lemur-like face and four-toed feet

---

Etymology

Origin of meerkat

Dutch: literally, monkey, apparently equivalent to meer ( see mere ²) + kat cat

Example Sentences

"When one meerkat calls, a neighbour is likely to reply," he adds.

From Science Daily • May 20, 2024

Since the meerkat deaths, the zoo has ceased using the dye on small animals like titi monkeys and lemurs, Ms. Metz said.

From New York Times • Jun. 15, 2023

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington DC is celebrating the birth of meerkat pups for the first time in 16 years.

From BBC • May 24, 2023

In earlier film and TV career, you were best known for you comedic roles such as Albert in “The Birdcage” and Timon the meerkat in “The Lion King.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 16, 2022

“It’s doubtful an expert could tell whether they were meerkat bones or mongoose bones.”

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel