tayra

Meaning

A South American omnivore, Eira barbara, allied to the grison, with a long thick tail.

Synonyms

Eira barbara

taira

ferret

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈtaɪ.ɹə/

Etymology

Borrowed, via Spanish tayra or Portuguese taira, from Old Tupi eîrara. (Compare Portuguese irara, Spanish irará, eirá, connected to Guaraní eíra (“honey”), a food the animal is fond of, whence also Portuguese papa-mel, another vernacular name.)