musquash

[ muhs-kwosh ]

noun

1. Chiefly British. the fur of the muskrat.

musquash

/ ˈmʌskwɒʃ /

noun

1. another name for muskrat , used esp to refer to its fur

Word History and Origins

Origin of musquash¹

1770–80, Americanism; < Massachusett cognate of Western Abenaki mòskwas (perhaps equivalent to Proto-Algonquian *mo·ŝk- bobbing above the surface of the water + *-exkwe· head + derivational elements, i.e., the one whose head bobs above the water)

Word History and Origins

Origin of musquash¹

C17: from Algonquian: compare Natick musquash, Abnaki muskwessu

Example Sentences

The other project will permanently conserve two parcels totaling about 150 acres adjacent to the Musquash Conservation Area in Londonderry.

From Washington Times

Selina, in a crimson blanket coat, wearing a ruby coloured hat much befurred, with a musquash stole thrown back from her shoulders, was evidently informing Mrs. Curtis of the state of her kingdom; Mrs. Curtis was nodding in august approval, and from time to time turning her head to invite a comment from Hargreaves, who like a lady-in-waiting, stood at the head of her chair, whispering from time to time: "Quite so, Mrs. Curtis."

From Project Gutenberg

Musquash, mus′kwosh, n. the musk-rat.

From Project Gutenberg

The beasts be as followeth:— “The kingly Lion, and the strong arm’d Bear, The large limb’d Mooses, with the tripping Deer; Quill-darting Porcupines, and Raccoons be Castel’d in the hollow of an aged tree; The skipping Squirrel, Rabbet, purblind Hare, Immured in the self same castle are, Lest red-ey’d Ferret, wily Foxes should Them undermine, if rampir’d but with mould; The grim-fac’d Ounce, and rav’nous howling Wolf, Whose meagre paunch sucks like a swallowing gulf; Black glistering Otters, and rich coated Bever, The Civet scented Musquash smelling ever.”

From Project Gutenberg

Equally curious with these are his descriptions of the “beasts living in the water,” as the otter, musquash, &c., and of “the birds and fowls, both of land and water.”

From Project Gutenberg