Binturongs

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A large, tree-dwelling mammal native to Southeast Asia, this species features a long prehensile tail and fur that contributes to its striking appearance while playing a crucial ecological role
2. Known as a bearcat, this unique mammal is distinguished by its prehensile tail and long fur, thriving in Southeast Asia's rainforests and serving an essential part in its habitat
3. A sizable mammal living in trees native to regions of Southeast Asia, recognizable by its long, gripping tail and dense fur

Etymology: The binturong is a stocky, bear-like civet of Southeast Asian forests, and its name came into English from Malay, where it is "binturung." The plural "binturongs" is simply the ordinary English plural of "binturong," so the interesting history lies in the singular form. English speakers borrowed the animal's name directly from the language of the region where it lives, rather than building a Latin or Greek label for it as naturalists did with many other mammals. The Malay word is what travellers and early zoologists heard in the forests and markets of the Malay world, and English simply adopted it, keeping its sound largely intact.