Nutria Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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nutria

[หˆnสŒtriษ™ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

animal species

Nutria, also known as coypu, is a large, semi-aquatic rodent native to South America. They thrive in areas with abundant water resources, feeding primarily on aquatic plants. Nutria are known for their distinctive orange front teeth and their fur, which is often used in the fur industry.

Synonyms

coypu, water rat.

Examples of usage

  • Nutria can often be found in wetlands.
  • The nutria population has rapidly increased in the region.
  • Farmers consider nutria to be a pest due to their feeding habits.
  • She spotted a nutria while kayaking in the bayou.

Translations

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Origin of 'nutria'

The word 'nutria' comes from the Spanish word for otter, 'nutria', which is derived from the Latin word 'lutra'. The usage of 'nutria' to refer to this specific rodent has been adopted in English since at least the 19th century. The species was brought to North America in the early 20th century for fur farming, which led to their escape and establishment of wild populations. As an invasive species, nutria have impacted wetlands, leading to extensive erosion of marshland and affecting local ecosystems.


Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,410, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.