genet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Technical (Zoology)
Quick answer
What does “genet” mean?
a small, carnivorous mammal related to the mongoose and civet, with spotted fur and a long, ringed tail.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a small, carnivorous mammal related to the mongoose and civet, with spotted fur and a long, ringed tail.
1. The fur or pelt of this animal. 2. (Historical/Heraldry) A term for a small hound or hunting dog, or for a creature resembling the genet used in coats of arms.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage. The term is equally rare in both variants.
Connotations
Connotes specialist knowledge of animals or historical contexts.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, slightly more likely to be found in British natural history writing.
Grammar
How to Use “genet” in a Sentence
The genet [verb: lives/hunts/scurries] in the forest.We observed a [adjective: spotted/rare] genet.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in zoology and biology texts discussing the Viverridae family.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Specific term in mammalian taxonomy and wildlife biology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “genet”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “genet”
- Misspelling as 'gennet' or 'jennet'.
- Mispronouncing with a hard 'g' (/ɡ/) instead of /dʒ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, although it resembles one. It belongs to the family Viverridae, separate from the cat family (Felidae).
Most species are native to Africa, with the common genet also found in southwestern Europe and parts of the Middle East.
No, it is a very low-frequency, specialist term known mainly to zoologists, naturalists, and crossword enthusiasts.
It is pronounced with a soft 'g', as in 'gem': /ˈdʒɛnɪt/.
a small, carnivorous mammal related to the mongoose and civet, with spotted fur and a long, ringed tail.
Genet is usually formal, technical (zoology) in register.
Genet: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdʒɛnɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdʒɛnɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'JENN-et' like a person's name. "Jennet has a pet GENET with a JENNET-like grace." (A jennet is a small horse, linking the idea of a small animal.)
Practice
Quiz
What is a genet?