quoll

English - English

Definition of quoll in English English dictionary

Any of the various carnivorous marsupials of the genus Dasyurus found in Australia and New Guinea, roughly the size of a cat

1770: Another was calld by the natives Je-Quoll: it is about the size and something like a polecat, of a light brown spotted with white on the back and white under the belly. — Joseph Banks, The Endeavour Journal of Sir Joseph Banks, extended description following entry for 26 August 1770.

(Hayvan Bilim, Zooloji) A catlike carnivorous marsupial with a white-spotted coat, native to Australia and New Guinea. (Genus Dasyurus: several species.)

A marsupial of Australia (Dasyurus macrurus), about the size of a cat

The various carnivorous marsupials of the genus Dasyurus found in Australia and New Guinea, roughly the size of a cat

Synonyms

native cat

Etymology

() From Guugu Yimidhirr dhigul. Recorded by Banks (quote below) but then virtually forgotten for 150 years, with the term native cat used instead. Today readopted and gaining in popularity. (Reference: R. M. W. Dixon, Australian Aboriginal Words'', Oxford University Press, 1990, ISBN 0-19-553099-3, page 79-80 and 221-2.)