a member of either genus (Bandicota and Nesokia, family Muridae) of large rats, found esp. in India and Sri Lanka, that destroy grain and root crops
any of an order (Peramelina) of ratlike marsupials of Australia and nearby islands, which feed on insects and plants
Origin:
< Telugu pandikokku, lit., pig rat
See bandicoot in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
Any of several large rats of the genera Bandicota and Nesokia of southeast Asia.
Any of several ratlike marsupials of the family Peramelidae, of Australia and adjacent islands, that feed on insects and plants and have a long, tapering snout and elongated hind legs.