dassie

das sie |ˈdasē ˈdæsi | ▶noun ( pl. dassies ) a hyrax, esp. the rock hyrax of southern Africa. [Family Procaviidae, in particular Procavia capensis. ] ORIGIN late 18th cent.: from Afrikaans, from South African Dutch dasje, diminutive of Dutch das ‘badger. ’

dassie

dassie |ˈdasi | ▶noun ( pl. dassies ) 1 a hyrax (mammal ), especially the rock hyrax of southern Africa. ●Family Procaviidae, in particular Procavia capensis. 2 S. African a silvery marine fish with dark fins and a black spot on the tail, found around African and Mediterranean coasts. ●Diplodus sargus, family Sparidae. ORIGIN late 18th cent.: from Afrikaans, from South African Dutch dasje, diminutive of Dutch das ‘badger ’; the fish is said to have been named because of a perceived resemblance (in its habit of frequenting rocks, or from its shy nature ) to the rock hyrax.