Kinkajou Definition
kĭngkə-jo͝o
noun
A nocturnal, tree-dwelling carnivore (Potos flavus) of Central and South America of the same family (Procyonidae) as the raccoon, with soft, yellowish-brown fur, large eyes, and a long prehensile tail.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
- honey-bear
- Potos caudivolvulus
- Potos flavus
- potto
- Perodicticus potto
Other Word Forms of Kinkajou
Noun
Singular:
kinkajouPlural:
kinkajousOrigin of Kinkajou
French from earlier Canadian French quincajou wolverine (the kinkajou being confused with the wolverine in early European descriptions of the animals) probably blend of Ojibwa gwiingwa'aage Montagnais kuàkuàtsheu wolverine
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From French quincajou, from an Algonquian) word, probably originally meaning ‘wolverine’ (compare Algonquin Kwingwaage, Ojibwe gwiingwa'aage (“wolverine”)), which was later transferred to the South American animal. Related to carcajou.
From Wiktionary
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