Muskrat \Musk"rat`\, n.
1. (Zool.) A North American aquatic fur-bearing rodent
({Ondatra zibethica} formerly {Fiber zibethicus}). It
resembles a rat in color and having a long scaly tail, but
the tail is compressed, the hind feet are webbed, and the
ears are concealed in the fur. It has scent glands which
secrete a substance having a strong odor of musk. Called
also {musquash}, {musk beaver}, {ondatra}, and sometimes
{water rat}.
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2. (Zool.) The musk shrew.
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3. (Zool.) The desman.
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