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badger
The definition of a badger is a small, furry mammal.
(noun)An example of a badger is a North American animal that has white markings on its face and long claws on its front feet.
To badger is to annoy, pester or get on someone's nerves.
(verb)An example of badger is nag someone to make their bed repeatedly.
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See badger in Webster's New World College Dictionary
- any of certain mammals of a family (Mustelidae) of burrowing carnivores (esp. genera Taxidea and Meles) of North America, Europe, and Asia, with a broad back, thick, short legs, and long claws on the forefeet
- the fur of a badger
- Austral.
- wombat
- bandicoot
- ☆ Informal a person born or living in Wisconsin, called the
Origin: 16th-c. term for earlier brock < bageard < ? ME bage, badge + -ard, -ard, in allusion to white spot on face
transitive verb
to torment as if baiting a badger; nag
See badger in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- Any of several carnivorous burrowing mammals of the family Mustelidae, such as Meles meles of Eurasia or Taxidea taxus of North America, having short legs, long claws on the front feet, and a heavy grizzled coat.
- The fur or hair of this mammal.
- Any of several similar mammals, such as the ratel.
To harass or pester persistently. See Synonyms at harass.
Origin:
Origin: Perhaps from badge
. Word History: Our name for the Eurasian species of this mammal, which is noted for defending its burrow like a knight of old, may come from the badger's knightly emblem. The creature's white head with a broad black stripe on each side of the snout may have brought to mind a badge, hence badger. Good evidence supporting this theory is that an earlier name for the animal was bauson, which comes from the Old French word baucenc, usually referring to a white patch on a horse and also meaning “badger.” Bauson is first recorded by 1375, badger in 1523.Learn more about badger
