bearcat

Everyday

1. The binturong, a furry animal from the forests of South and Southeast Asia with a long tail it can grip with; it is neither a bear nor a cat. tree →
2. (sometimes) Another name for the red panda. tree →
3. (US, old informal) A strong, fierce or very lively person. tree →

In the lessons

In science and zoo visits the bearcat is a good example that animal names can mislead: it is related to civets. Bearcats are said to smell like buttered popcorn. Some US sports teams are called the Bearcats.

Examples

• The bearcat curled its long tail around the branch. tree →
• A bearcat smells a bit like popcorn. tree →
• We saw a bearcat sleeping at the zoo. tree →
• Despite its name, a bearcat is not a bear. tree →
• The Cincinnati Bearcats won the match. tree →
• Bearcats eat fruit and small animals. tree →

Note

Countable: bearcats. Trap: the name does not mean it is a bear or a cat. Its proper name is binturong.