Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Jigger \Jig"ger\ (j[i^]g"g[~e]r), n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of small red mites (esp.
{Tetranychus irritans} and {T. Americanus}) which, in the
larval or leptus stage, burrow beneath the skin of man and
various animals, causing great annoyance. [Southern U. S.]
Tapir \Ta"pir\, n. [Braz. tapy'ra: cf. F. tapir.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of large odd-toed ungulates
belonging to {Tapirus}, {Elasmognathus}, and allied genera.
They have a long prehensile upper lip, short ears, short and
stout legs, a short, thick tail, and short, close hair. They
have three toes on the hind feet, and four toes on the fore
feet, but the outermost toe is of little use.
Note: The best-known species are the Indian tapir ({Tapirus
Indicus}), native of the East Indies and Malacca, which
is black with a broad band of white around the middle,
and the common American tapir ({T. Americanus}), which,
when adult, is dull brown. Several others species
inhabit the Andes and Central America.
{Tapir tiger} (Zo["o]l.), the wallah.
Prairie \Prai"rie\, n. [F., an extensive meadow, OF. praerie,
LL. prataria, fr. L. pratum a meadow.]
1. An extensive tract of level or rolling land, destitute of
trees, covered with coarse grass, and usually
characterized by a deep, fertile soil. They abound
throughout the Mississippi valley, between the Alleghanies
and the Rocky mountains.
From the forests and the prairies, From the great
lakes of the northland. --Longfellow.
2. A meadow or tract of grass; especially, a so called
natural meadow.
{Prairie chicken} (Zo["o]l.), any American grouse of the
genus {Tympanuchus}, especially {T. Americanus} (formerly
{T. cupido}), which inhabits the prairies of the central
United States. Applied also to the sharp-tailed grouse.
{Prairie clover} (Bot.), any plant of the leguminous genus
{Petalostemon}, having small rosy or white flowers in
dense terminal heads or spikes. Several species occur in
the prairies of the United States.
{Prairie dock} (Bot.), a coarse composite plant ({Silphium
terebinthaceum}) with large rough leaves and yellow
flowers, found in the Western prairies.
{Prairie dog} (Zo["o]l.), a small American rodent ({Cynomys
Ludovicianus}) allied to the marmots. It inhabits the
plains west of the Mississippi. The prairie dogs burrow in
the ground in large warrens, and have a sharp bark like
that of a dog. Called also {prairie marmot}.
{Prairie grouse}. Same as {Prairie chicken}, above.
{Prairie hare} (Zo["o]l.), a large long-eared Western hare
({Lepus campestris}). See {Jack rabbit}, under 2d {Jack}.
{Prairie hawk}, {Prairie falcon} (Zo["o]l.), a falcon of
Western North America ({Falco Mexicanus}). The upper parts
are brown. The tail has transverse bands of white; the
under parts, longitudinal streaks and spots of brown.
{Prairie hen}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Prairie chicken}, above.
{Prairie itch} (Med.), an affection of the skin attended with
intense itching, which is observed in the Northern and
Western United States; -- also called {swamp itch},
{winter itch}.
{Prairie marmot}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Prairie dog}, above.
{Prairie mole} (Zo["o]l.), a large American mole ({Scalops
argentatus}), native of the Western prairies.
{Prairie pigeon}, {plover}, or {snipe} (Zo["o]l.), the upland
plover. See {Plover}, n., 2.
{Prairie rattlesnake} (Zo["o]l.), the massasauga.
{Prairie snake} (Zo["o]l.), a large harmless American snake
({Masticophis flavigularis}). It is pale yellow, tinged
with brown above.
{Prairie squirrel} (Zo["o]l.), any American ground squirrel
of the genus {Spermophilus}, inhabiting prairies; --
called also {gopher}.
{Prairie turnip} (Bot.), the edible turnip-shaped farinaceous
root of a leguminous plant ({Psoralea esculenta}) of the
Upper Missouri region; also, the plant itself. Called also
{pomme blanche}, and {pomme de prairie}.
{Prairie warbler} (Zo["o]l.), a bright-colored American
warbler ({Dendroica discolor}). The back is olive yellow,
with a group of reddish spots in the middle; the under
parts and the parts around the eyes are bright yellow; the
sides of the throat and spots along the sides, black;
three outer tail feathers partly white.
{Prairie wolf}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Coyote}.
Manatee \Man`a*tee"\, n. [Sp. manat['i], from the native name in
Hayti. Cf. {Lamantin}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any species of {Trichechus}, a genus of sirenians; -- called
also{sea cow}. [Written also {manaty}, {manati}.]
Note: One species ({Trichechus Senegalensis}) inhabits the
west coast of Africa; another ({T. Americanus})
inhabits the east coast of South America, and the
West-Indies. The Florida manatee ({T. latirostris}) is
by some considered a distinct species, by others it is
thought to be a variety of {T. Americanus}. It
sometimes becomes fifteen feet or more in length, and
lives both in fresh and salt water. It is hunted for
its oil and flesh.
Manatee \Man`a*tee"\, n. [Sp. manat['i], from the native name in
Hayti. Cf. {Lamantin}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any species of {Trichechus}, a genus of sirenians; -- called
also{sea cow}. [Written also {manaty}, {manati}.]
Note: One species ({Trichechus Senegalensis}) inhabits the
west coast of Africa; another ({T. Americanus})
inhabits the east coast of South America, and the
West-Indies. The Florida manatee ({T. latirostris}) is
by some considered a distinct species, by others it is
thought to be a variety of {T. Americanus}. It
sometimes becomes fifteen feet or more in length, and
lives both in fresh and salt water. It is hunted for
its oil and flesh.