agouti

[ uh-goo-tee ]

noun

, plural a·gou·tis, a·gou·ties.

1. any of several short-haired, short-eared, rabbitlike rodents of the genus Dasyprocta, of South and Central America and the West Indies, destructive to sugarcane.
2. an irregularly barred pattern of the fur of certain rodents.
3. an animal having fur of this pattern.

agouti

/ əˈɡuːtɪ /

noun

1. any hystricomorph rodent of the genus Dasyprocta, of Central and South America and the Caribbean: family Dasyproctidae. Agoutis are agile and long-legged, with hooflike claws, and are valued for their meat
2. a pattern of fur in certain rodents, characterized by irregular stripes

Word History and Origins

Origin of agouti¹

First recorded in 1725–35; from French, from Spanish agutí, from Tupian agutí, agoutí, acutí

Word History and Origins

Origin of agouti¹

C18: via French and Spanish from Guarani

Example Sentences

But even the best-sniffing rodent, the Central American agouti, had fewer olfactory genes than three other species.

From Scientific American

The nine-banded armadillo and Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth followed, while the Central American agouti came in fourth.

From New York Times

Monteza believes the highway research could help push authorities to create wildlife crossings for armadillos, the rodents known as lowland pacas and agoutis, and other animals.

From Seattle Times

They started killing the agouti, and not for food.

From Washington Post

There are sloths and monkeys in the branches, while coatis and agoutis scamper in the undergrowth.

From The Guardian