suricat \su"ri*cat\, suricate \su"ri*cate\(s[=u]"r[i^]*k[a^]t), n. [F. surikate, from the native name in South Africa.] (Zool.) A South African mongooselike viverrine ({Suricata suricatta} or {Suricata tetradactyla}) having a lemurlike face and only four toes; called also {mierkat}, {yellow mongoose} and {zenick}. [Also spelled {surikate}.] Note: The animal called {zenick} seems also to be related to or identical to the mierkat, but no reference can be found on the internet. Syn: meerkat. [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]
Zenick \Ze"nick\, n. (Zool.) A South African burrowing mammal ({Suricata tetradactyla}), allied to the civets. It is grayish brown, with yellowish transverse stripes on the back. Called also {suricat}. [obsolete] Note: This term is not found on the internet. It probably refers to the {meerkat}, also called suricate. [1913 Webster]