Definition

Noun 1. A small mammal: Any of several small, hoofed mammals native to Africa and Asia, characterized by rodent-like incisors and feet with hooflike toes. They are related to hyraxes.

Usage Notes

• The word "das" is a highly specific zoological term. It is not used in everyday conversation.
• It is a singular noun. The standard plural form is dassies.
• It is often used interchangeably with the more common term hyrax, particularly for the rock hyrax species.

Examples

• The das is well-adapted to rocky habitats.
• We observed a family of dassies sunning themselves on the cliff.
• The das, despite its small size, is a relative of the elephant.

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily used in scientific, zoological, or wildlife contexts. In general English, "rock hyrax" or simply "hyrax" is preferred.
• It can appear in regional names, such as the "Rock Das" or "Tree Das," to specify a particular species of hyrax.

Variants and Related Words

• Dassie (n): The common plural form of "das."
• Hyrax (n): The more common and general term for the same group of animals.
• Rock hyrax (n): A specific, common species of das/hyrax.

Synonyms

• Hyrax
• Rock rabbit (a regional name, though not a true rabbit)
• Coney (an archaic biblical term)

Antonyms

• There are no direct antonyms, as it is a specific animal name. In a broad zoological sense, unrelated large mammals (e.g., elephant, rhinoceros) could be considered contrasting.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs using the word "das."

Noun

1. any of several small ungulate mammals of Africa and Asia with rodent-like incisors and feet with hooflike toes