mountain devil: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Native Proficiency)Specialist/Biological/Informal/Australian Colloquial
Quick answer
What does “mountain devil” mean?
A carnivorous marsupial native to Australia, known for its aggressive temperament and powerful bite.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A carnivorous marsupial native to Australia, known for its aggressive temperament and powerful bite.
An informal term for a person who is extremely tough, resilient, or fierce, particularly in challenging environments; can refer to challenging terrain or difficult weather conditions in mountainous regions (poetic/rare).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively used in Australian English contexts; in other dialects, it would be an obscure biological reference or a creative metaphor.
Connotations
In Australian English: specific, evocative of the outback. In other dialects: likely misunderstood or interpreted as a mythical creature.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency outside of Australian natural history discussions or specific metaphorical use in Australian literature/media.
Grammar
How to Use “mountain devil” in a Sentence
encounter a mountain devildescribe as a mountain devilfight like a mountain devilVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mountain devil” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The guide warned us that the mountain devil, though small, is not an animal to be trifled with.
- Fossil evidence suggests the mountain devil was once widespread on the mainland.
American English
- In the documentary, they referred to the ancient carnivore as a mountain devil.
- She had the grit of a mountain devil, surviving where others would have quit.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in biological, zoological, and ecological texts discussing Australian fauna or Pleistocene extinctions.
Everyday
Rare. Possibly used in Australian rural communities or in metaphors describing a very tough or aggressive person.
Technical
A historical/common name for Sarcophilus satanicus, a larger, extinct relative of the Tasmanian devil.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mountain devil”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mountain devil”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mountain devil”
- Using it to refer to the Tasmanian devil (a distinct, surviving species).
- Capitalising it as a proper name (usually not capitalised).
- Assuming it is a common term outside Australia.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Mountain devil' commonly refers to Sarcophilus satanicus, a larger, extinct mainland species. The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is a smaller, surviving relative found only in Tasmania.
Yes, but it's a very strong, vivid, and regionally specific metaphor. It means someone is incredibly tough, resilient, or fiercely aggressive, drawing on the animal's reputation.
It is a low-frequency term. Its primary use is in Australian natural history. The metaphorical use is rare and stylistically marked.
It was a real animal. Sarcophilus satanicus was a carnivorous marsupial that lived on mainland Australia until it became extinct, likely during the Pleistocene epoch.
A carnivorous marsupial native to Australia, known for its aggressive temperament and powerful bite.
Mountain devil is usually specialist/biological/informal/australian colloquial in register.
Mountain devil: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmaʊn.tɪn ˈdev.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmaʊn.tən ˈdev.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To have the tenacity of a mountain devil.”
- “He's a regular mountain devil when riled.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a DEVIL living high up on a MOUNTAIN, fierce and untameable, to recall this Australian marsupial.
Conceptual Metaphor
FEROCITY IS DEMONIC / RESILIENCE IS SUPERHUMAN (MOUNTAIN-LIKE).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'mountain devil' used correctly?