water rat

Meaning

1. (US) Any of various aquatic or semi-aquatic rodents from Florida and southern Georgia, especially Neofiber alleni; the muskrat.
2. (Australia) A water mouse, especially, the rakali, Hydromys chrysogaster.
3. (informal) A European water vole (Arvicola amphibius, formerly Arvicola terrestris).
4. (US, slang) A petty thief or waterfront ruffian.
5. (slang) A person fond of water sports.
6. (Australia, slang) A member of the water police.

Synonyms

water vole

water dog

Arvicola amphibius

musk rat

beaver rat

muskrat

common muskrat

musquash

rat

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Translations

νεροαρουραίος

lupo di mare

topo di fogna

Bisamratte

Wasserratte

Schermaus

νεροπόντικας

rat musqué

campagnol terrestre

rat taupier

arvicola

Arvicola amphibius

topo d’acqua

Ondatra zibethicus

Hydromys chrysogaster

Etymology

Cognate with Saterland Frisian: Woaterrotte

Cognate with Western Frisian: wetterrôt

Cognate with Dutch: waterrat

Cognate with German: Wasserratte

Cognate with Danish: vandrotte

Cognate with Swedish: vattenråtta

Cognate with Icelandic: vatnsrotta

In summary

From water + rat. Compare Saterland Frisian Woaterrotte, West Frisian wetterrôt, Dutch waterrat, German Low German Waterrötte, Waterrött, German Wasserratte, Danish vandrotte, Swedish vattenråtta, Icelandic vatnsrotta.