英和和英

語源

From water +‎ rat. Compare Saterland Frisian Woaterrotte, West Frisian wetterrôt, Dutch waterrat, German Low German Waterrötte, Waterrött, German Wasserratte, Danish vandrotte, Swedish vattenråtta, Icelandic vatnsrotta.

発音

名詞

water rat (plural water rats)

1. (US) Any of various aquatic or semi-aquatic rodents from Florida and southern Georgia, especially Neofiber alleni; the muskrat.
   • 2004, James McConnachie, Rough Guide to the Loire, page 43:

     Otters are even harder to spot; the coypu, a North American water rat, is more commonly seen.

2. (Australia) A water mouse, especially, the rakali, Hydromys chrysogaster.
   • 1943, H. Lorna Bingham, The Lost Tribe, Sydney: Winn and Co., page 11, column 1:

     "There [...] you will find the water-hole that is sacred to Biggoon, the giant water rat."

3. (informal) A European water vole (Arvicola amphibius, formerly Arvicola terrestris).
4. (US, slang) A petty thief or waterfront ruffian.
5. (slang) A person fond of water sports.
6. (slang, Australia) A member of the water police.

派生語

• Ziegler's water rat

参考

• beaver-rat

アナグラム

• Tarwater, tar water