Ringtail

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of mammal known for its distinctive bushy tail and markings that resemble a raccoon
2. a name for certain species of marsupials characterized by their long, banded tails
3. a term used to describe the tail of specific animals that has a ringed appearance

Etymology: A ringtail is, quite literally, a ring plus a tail: the English noun "ring" (from Old English "hring", a circle or hoop) joined to "tail" (Old English "tægl"). The compound describes an animal whose tail bears bands of contrasting colour, which is why the name fits so many different creatures, from the ring-tailed lemur of Madagascar to the ringtail of the American Southwest. The first element traces back a long way. "Ring" descends from a Proto-Germanic form, "hringaz", and ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root that also gave rise to words for circular or curved things. "Tail" follows a parallel path, coming from a Proto-Germanic word "tagla" into Old English. Neither part was coined for animals; the compound simply sets two everyday words side by side and lets the picture do the naming.