ringtail
ringtail Lexical Profile
ringtail Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Australian Any of several species of Australian possums belonging to the family Pseudocheiridae, noted for their strongly prehensile tails which often feature white tips or ring-like markings.
"The common ringtail is a frequent visitor to suburban gardens in Melbourne, where it feeds on eucalyptus leaves and flowers."
North American A small, elusive, omnivorous mammal (Bassariscus astutus) of the raccoon family, native to the arid regions of North America, characterized by a fox-like face and a long, bushy tail with alternating black and white bands.
"During our night hike in the Sonoran Desert, we were lucky enough to spot a ringtail darting across a rocky ledge."
British A female or immature male hen harrier (a type of bird of prey), distinguished from the adult male by its brown plumage and heavily barred tail.
"The birdwatcher was thrilled to identify a ringtail quartering low over the heathland in search of voles."
• Rhymes for ringtail
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'ring' and 'tail', referring to the distinctively banded or ringed tail characteristic of the animals so named. The term has been used in English since the late 17th century for various birds, and later applied to mammals in the Americas and Australia.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.