peccary

/'pekəri/

Thân thiện

A peccary forages for roots in the dry scrubland.

Definition

Noun: - A nocturnal, gregarious, pig-like wild mammal native to the Americas. Peccaries are hoofed animals that resemble pigs but belong to a different biological family (Tayassuidae). They are known for living in groups and having a strong, musky odor.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • We spotted a herd of peccaries foraging in the desert scrub.
  • The peccary is sometimes called a javelina, especially in the southwestern United States.
  • Unlike true pigs, a peccary has straight tusks that grow downward.

Advanced Usage

• "in a peccary": This is not a standard idiom. The word is typically used in its literal zoological sense.
• The term is often used in ecological and wildlife contexts to discuss the role of these animals in their ecosystem.

Variants and Related Words

• Javelina (n): A common name for the collared peccary () in North America.
  • The javelina is a common sight in Arizona.
• Tayassuidae (n): The scientific family name for peccaries.

Synonyms

• Javelina: (Regional synonym, primarily for the collared peccary)
• Musk hog: (An informal name referencing the animal's odor)

Related Phrases

• Peccary herd: A group of peccaries.
  • A peccary herd can be quite defensive if threatened.

Notes on Meaning

The word peccary refers specifically to New World animals. It is not interchangeable with "pig" or "boar," which refer to animals in the family Suidae, originating in the Old World. The key distinguishing features are their geographic origin, dental structure, and social behavior.

Học thuật

Noun

1. nocturnal gregarious pig-like wild animals of North America and South America

Từ đồng nghĩa

• musk hog