noun

chevrotain

SHEV-ruh-tayn

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Chevrotain (noun) means any of several small hornless ruminant mammals of the family Tragulidae, found in the tropical rainforests of South and Southeast Asia and of Central and West Africa. Example: “A chevrotain darted through the undergrowth as soon as it heard our footsteps.”

noun

Any of several small hornless ruminant mammals of the family Tragulidae, found in the tropical rainforests of South and Southeast Asia and of Central and West Africa.

"A chevrotain darted through the undergrowth as soon as it heard our footsteps."

"Zoologists study chevrotains as one of the smallest living ruminants."

"The forest floor camera trap caught a chevrotain feeding on fallen fruit."

How to use chevrotain

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA chevrotain is a tiny, hornless, deer-like animal that lives in tropical rainforests.

When to use it

It is a specialist zoological term, mostly seen in nature writing and scientific contexts.

Memory tip

Remember that despite the nickname mouse deer, a chevrotain is not a true deer.

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Common pairings

a chevrotain species wild chevrotains a chevrotain's habitat

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A _____ darted through the undergrowth as soon as it heard our footsteps.

Etymology

The word comes from French chevrotain, itself a diminutive of the Old French chevrot, meaning a young goat or kid. That in turn is a diminutive of chievre, the Old French word for goat, which traces back through Latin capra and caper to an ancient Proto-Indo-European root for a billy goat.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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mouse deer tragulid

Rhymes for chevrotain

ain rain pain lain gain main vain fain bain Iain Jain Cain

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Frequently asked questions

What is a chevrotain?

A chevrotain is a small hornless ruminant mammal from the family Tragulidae, sometimes called a mouse deer. It lives in tropical rainforests in parts of Asia and Africa.

Is a chevrotain a deer?

Not exactly. It is commonly nicknamed the mouse deer, but it belongs to its own family, Tragulidae, rather than the true deer family.

Where do chevrotains live?

They are native to tropical rainforests in South and Southeast Asia, as well as Central and West Africa.

What is the meaning of chevrotain?

"chevrotain" (noun) means any of several small hornless ruminant mammals of the family Tragulidae, found in the tropical rainforests of South and Southeast Asia and of Central and West Africa.