bearcat

Thân thiện

A bearcat uses its long tail to hang from a tree branch.

Definition

Noun 1. A mammal: A carnivorous mammal (Arctictis binturong) native to Southeast Asia, characterized by a long, muscular, prehensile tail, shaggy black hair, and a face resembling that of a cat. It is also known as a binturong.

Usage

• The bearcat is not actually related to bears or cats; it is the largest member of the civet family.
• A defining feature of the bearcat is its strong, gripping tail, which it uses like a fifth limb to climb and hang from branches.
• The bearcat is noted for the distinct smell of its scent glands, which has been compared to buttered popcorn.

Examples

• "We were lucky to spot a bearcat sleeping in the canopy during our jungle trek."
• "The zookeeper explained that the bearcat's prehensile tail provides excellent balance in the trees."
• "Despite its fierce name, the bearcat is primarily a frugivore, eating mostly fruit."

Advanced Usage

• Figurative use for a person: In informal American English, "bearcat" can be used as a colorful, old-fashioned term to describe a very fierce, aggressive, or tenacious person, especially in sports contexts. This usage is now somewhat archaic.
  • Example: "The old coach was a real bearcat on the sidelines, always yelling and fighting for his team."

Variants and Related Words

• Binturong: The more common scientific and alternative common name for the same animal ().
• Civet: The general family (Viverridae) to which the bearcat belongs.

Synonyms

• Binturong (direct synonym)
• Asian civet (general category, though this can refer to other species)

Notes

• The term "bearcat" is also the mascot for several American universities and sports teams, drawing on the figurative meaning of a fierce and tenacious fighter.

Học thuật

Noun

1. arboreal civet of Asia having a long prehensile tail and shaggy black hair

Từ đồng nghĩa

• binturong
• Arctictis bintourong