water rat

3 definitions found

water rat - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Muskrat \Musk"rat`\, n.
     1. (Zool.) A North American aquatic fur-bearing rodent
        (Ondatra zibethica formerly Fiber zibethicus). It
        resembles a rat in color and having a long scaly tail, but
        the tail is compressed, the hind feet are webbed, and the
        ears are concealed in the fur. It has scent glands which
        secrete a substance having a strong odor of musk. Called
        also musquash, musk beaver, ondatra, and sometimes
        water rat.
        [1913 Webster +PJC]
  
     2. (Zool.) The musk shrew.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Zool.) The desman.
        [1913 Webster]

  Water rat \Wa"ter rat`\
     1. (Zool.)
        (a) The water vole. See under Vole.
        (b) The muskrat.
        (c) The beaver rat. See under Beaver.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A thief on the water; a pirate.
        [1913 Webster]

water rat - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  water rat
      n 1: a person who enjoys being in or on the water [syn: water dog
           , water rat]
      2: common large Eurasian vole [syn: water vole, water rat,
         Arvicola amphibius]
      3: any of various amphibious rats