Definition

Noun: A rare, dog-like carnivorous marsupial native to Tasmania, characterized by distinctive dark stripes across its back. It is widely believed to be extinct.

Usage

The term "Tasmanian tiger" is used to refer specifically to the thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus). It functions as a common name and is typically used in historical, zoological, and conservation contexts.

Examples

• The last known Tasmanian tiger died in captivity in 1936.
• Scientists continue to investigate unconfirmed sightings of the Tasmanian tiger.
• The Tasmanian tiger was the largest known carnivorous marsupial of modern times.

Advanced Usage

• "the ghost of the Tasmanian tiger": A poetic or metaphorical phrase used to describe the enduring cultural and ecological memory of the extinct animal, or to refer to its elusive nature in reported sightings.
  • The legend of the ghost of the Tasmanian tiger persists in the island's folklore.

Variants and Related Words

• Thylacine (n): The formal scientific name for the Tasmanian tiger.
• Tasmanian wolf (n): An alternative common name, reflecting its canine-like appearance.

Synonyms

• Thylacine (scientific synonym)
• Tasmanian wolf

Related Phrases

• "like a Tasmanian tiger": Used informally to describe something as extremely rare, elusive, or thought to be gone.
  • Finding a genuine mistake in his work is like finding a Tasmanian tiger.

Noun

1. rare doglike carnivorous marsupial of Tasmania having stripes on its back; probably extinct