Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

Otter

 - 4 dictionary results

ot⋅ter

  [ot-er]
Use Otter in a Sentence
–noun, plural -ters, (especially collectively) -ter.
1. any of several aquatic, furbearing, weasellike mammals of the genus Lutra and related genera, having webbed feet and a long, slightly flattened tail.
2. the fur of an otter.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME otter, oter, OE otor, ottor; c. D, G otter; cf. Gk hýdra water serpent (see hydra ), Skt udra- otter; akin to water

Ot⋅ter

  [ot-er]
–noun
(in the Volsunga Saga) a son of Hreidmar, who assumed the form of an otter when fishing, and who was killed by Loki while in that form.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Otter
ot·ter   (ŏt'ər)   
n.   pl. otter or ot·ters

  1. Any of various aquatic, carnivorous mammals of the genus Lutra and allied genera, related to the minks and weasels and having webbed feet and dense, dark brown fur.

  2. The fur of this mammal.


[Middle English oter, from Old English otor; see wed-1 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

otter 
O.E. otr, otor, from P.Gmc. *utraz (cf. O.N. otr, Swed. utter, Dan. odder, Du. otter, Ger. Otter), from PIE *udros, lit. "water-creature" (cf. Skt. udrah, Avestan udra "otter;" Gk. hydra "water-serpent," enydris "otter;" L. lutra, O.C.S. vydra, Lith. udra, O.Ir. odoirne "otter"), from root *udr- "water."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see Otter on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way