Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Kangaroo?

\Kan"ga*roo"\, n. [Said to be the native name.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of jumping marsupials of the family {Macropodid[ae]}. They inhabit Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands, They have long and strong hind legs and a large tail, while the fore legs are comparatively short and feeble. The giant kangaroo ({Macropus major}) is the largest species, sometimes becoming twelve or fourteen feet in total length. The tree kangaroos, belonging to the genus {Dendrolagus}, live in trees; the rock kangaroos, of the genus {Petrogale}, inhabit rocky situations; and the brush kangaroos, of the genus {Halmaturus}, inhabit wooded districts. See {Wallaby}. {Kangaroo apple} (Bot.), the edible fruit of the Tasmanian plant {Solanum aviculare}. {Kangaroo grass} (Bot.), a perennial Australian forage grass ({Anthistiria australis}). {Kangaroo hare} (Zo["o]l.), the jerboa kangaroo. See under {Jerboa}. {Kangaroo mouse}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Jumping mouse}, under {Jumping}. {Kangaroo rat} (Zo["o]l.), the potoroo.