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cou·gar

(kgər)

1. A large powerful wild cat (Puma concolor syn. Felis concolor) chiefly of mountainous regions of the Americas, having an unmarked tawny body and a long tail. Also called catamount, mountain cat, mountain lion, panther, puma; Also called regionally painter.

2. Slang A woman, especially one over 30, who romantically pursues or attracts younger men.

[French couguar, alteration (influenced by jaguar, jaguar) of Portuguese çuçuarana, from Tupí suasuarana : suasú, deer + rana, like (from its color).]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

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Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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