Otterish

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Having characteristics reminiscent of otters, such as playfulness and agility in water
2. Displaying behaviors or traits that evoke the whimsical or carefree nature associated with otters
3. Relating to a charming demeanor or lively spirit that resembles those of an otter in its natural habitat

Etymology: "Otterish" is one of those words where the history is simply the sum of its parts: it is formed from "otter" plus the suffix "-ish", which English attaches to nouns to mean "having the qualities of, resembling, or tending toward" the base. Thus an otterish creature is one that behaves like an otter. The base word "otter" is ancient in English, descending from Old English "otor", which belongs to a family of Germanic words for the same animal, and is related to the Greek "hydra" (water-serpent), a reminder of how often the animal's name has been tied to water. The suffix "-ish" has a longer career, having come into Old English as a native ending and widened over centuries into a flexible tool for coining adjectives like "childish" and "bookish". Because "-ish" is so productive, "otterish" is a transparent, freshly made adjective rather than a word with a separate history of its own. Its meaning follows directly from the suffix: it describes the playful, sleek, water-loving manner people associate with otters.

Synonyms: playful, frolicsome