Tasmanian devil

noun

1. a small, predacious marsupial, Sarcophilus harrisii, of Tasmania, having a black coat with white patches: its dwindling population is now confined to isolated areas.

Tasmanian devil

noun

1. a small ferocious carnivorous marsupial, Sarcophilus harrisi, of Tasmania, having black fur with pale markings, strong jaws, and short legs: family Dasyuridae Also calledursine dasyure

Word History and Origins

Origin of Tasmanian devil¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Over the past 30 years, Australia's Tasmanian devil population has been afflicted with an infectious cancer that has pushed the species to near extinction.

From Science Daily

Albanese said his government has made a donation to a charity that works to protect the endangered Tasmanian devil.

From Seattle Times

If you can get out of town, check out Cradle Mountain and visit with the Tasmanian devils at Devils@Cradle Sanctuary.

From Seattle Times

In Australia, marsupials abound: A snarling Tasmanian devil stands before craggy Cradle Mountain, while a stubby brown wombat surveils the Great Australian Bight.

From New York Times

This is the Tasmanian devil, Donald Trump, in terms of the energy and the uniqueness, and nobody had ever seen anything like it before.

From Salon