badger

[ baj-er ]

noun

1. any of various burrowing, carnivorous mammals of the family Mustelidae, as Taxidea taxus, of North America, and Meles meles, of Europe and Asia.
2. the fur of this mammal.
3. Australian.
   1. a wombat.
   2. bandicoot ( def 2 ).
4. (initial capital letter) a native or inhabitant of Wisconsin the Badger State (used as a nickname).
5. a swablike device for cleaning excess mortar from the interiors of newly laid tile drains.

verb (used with object)

1. to harass or urge persistently; pester; nag:

   I had to badger him into coming with us.

   Synonyms: worry, plague, bedevil, vex, bait, disturb

badger

/ ˈbædʒə /

noun

1. any of various stocky omnivorous musteline mammals of the subfamily Melinae , such as Meles meles ( Eurasian badger ), occurring in Europe, Asia, and North America: order Carnivora (carnivores). They are typically large burrowing animals, with strong claws and a thick coat striped black and white on the head Compare ferret badger hog badger
2. honey badger
   another name for ratel

verb

1. tr to pester or harass

Other Words From

• un·badgered adjective
• un·badger·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of badger¹

1515–25; variant of badgeard, perhaps badge + -ard, in allusion to white mark or badge on head

Word History and Origins

Origin of badger¹

C16: variant of badgeard , probably from badge (from the white mark on its forehead) + -ard

Example Sentences

Many species are legally protected, such as badgers, bats and great crested newts, and Natural England has to issue a licence before any work can take place that could harm them.

From BBC

It's a difficult discussion, because progressives are already constantly badgered by right-wing accusations that they're an "elite" who "looks down" at Trump voters as ignoramuses.

From Salon

However, the council had had to wait for a licence from Natural England before the work could be carried out because badgers were a protected species, they added.

From BBC

A leading vet said Sir Brian's findings could not be viewed in isolation, while a farmer who has lost 500 of his herd to the disease said badgers "do contribute" to the bTB problem.

From BBC

“We saw a badger and a fox the other day.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• annoy
• bully
• goad
• harass
• heckle
• hound
• pester
• tease
• torment