chevrotain

[ shev-ruh-teyn, -tin ]

noun

1. any very small, deerlike ruminant of the family Tragulidae, of Africa, tropical Asia, the Malay Peninsula, etc.

chevrotain

/ -tɪn; ˈʃɛvrəˌteɪn /

noun

1. any small timid ruminant artiodactyl mammal of the genera Tragulus and Hyemoschus, of S and SE Asia: family Tragulidae. They resemble rodents, and the males have long tusklike upper canines Also calledmouse deer

Word History and Origins

Origin of chevrotain¹

< French, apparently Buffon's alteration of chevrotin roe deer under the age of six months, equivalent to Middle French chevrot kid ( chevre goat ( chevon ) + -ot diminutive suffix) + -in -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of chevrotain¹

C18: from French, from Old French chevrot kid, from chèvre goat, from Latin capra, feminine of caper goat