Poacher: meaning, definitions and examples

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poacher

 

[ ˈpəʊtʃə ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

illegal hunting

A poacher is someone who illegally hunts or catches animals, often in protected areas or outside of designated hunting seasons. This activity typically violates wildlife conservation laws and regulations, leading to significant ecological harm and threatening endangered species.

Synonyms

fleecer, hunter, smuggler

Examples of usage

  • The poacher was caught setting traps in the national park.
  • Many elephants are killed by poachers for their ivory tusks.
  • Local authorities are working to reduce poaching by increasing patrols.
  • The documentary highlighted the plight of animals endangered by poachers.

Translations

Translations of the word "poacher" in other languages:

🇵🇹 caçador furtivo

🇮🇳 शिकारियों

🇩🇪 Wilderei

🇮🇩 pemburu liar

🇺🇦 браконьєр

🇵🇱 kłusownik

🇯🇵 密猟者

🇫🇷 braconnier

🇪🇸 cazador furtivo

🇹🇷 kaçak avcı

🇰🇷 밀렵꾼

🇸🇦 صياد غير قانوني

🇨🇿 nelegální lovec

🇸🇰 nelegálny lovec

🇨🇳 偷猎者

🇸🇮 brakonir

🇮🇸 ólöglegur veiðimaður

🇰🇿 заңсыз аңшы

🇬🇪 ბრაკონიერი

🇦🇿 qanunsuz ovçu

🇲🇽 cazador furtivo

Etymology

The word 'poacher' comes from the Old French 'poechier', which means 'to take by force' or 'to capture'. This term is derived from 'poche', meaning 'pouch' or 'bag', indicative of the act of taking or capturing something unlawfully. The term became associated with illegal hunting practices during the medieval period when certain lands were reserved exclusively for the nobility. Over time, it has evolved to encompass various forms of illegal wildlife preservation violations, affecting numerous species around the world. The rise of conservation efforts in the 20th and 21st centuries has further intensified the spotlight on poachers, leading to harsher penalties for wildlife crimes and increased public awareness of the ecological impacts of such actions.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,440, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.