Water rat
noun, slang
noun, slang ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Any of various aquatic or semi-aquatic rodents from Florida and southern Georgia, especially Neofiber alleni; the muskrat. US
"Otters are even harder to spot; the coypu, a North American water rat, is more commonly seen."
- 2 any of various amphibious rats wordnet
- 3 A water mouse, especially, the rakali, Hydromys chrysogaster. Australia
""There [...] you will find the water-hole that is sacred to Biggoon, the giant water rat.""
- 4 common large Eurasian vole wordnet
- 5 A European water vole (Arvicola amphibius, formerly Arvicola terrestris). informal
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 a person who enjoys being in or on the water wordnet
- 7 A petty thief or waterfront ruffian. US, slang
- 8 A person fond of water sports. slang
- 9 A member of the water police. Australia, slang
Example
More examples"Otters are even harder to spot; the coypu, a North American water rat, is more commonly seen."
Etymology
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.