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badger
(redirected from badgered)

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.29 sec.
badg·er  (bjr)
n.
1. Any of several carnivorous burrowing mammals of the family Mustelidae, such as Meles meles of Eurasia or Taxidea taxus of North America, having short legs, long claws on the front feet, and a heavy grizzled coat.
2. The fur or hair of this mammal.
3. Any of several similar mammals, such as the ratel.
tr.v. badg·ered, badg·er·ing, badg·ers
To harass or pester persistently. See Synonyms at harass.

[Perhaps from badge.]
Word History: Our name for the Eurasian species of this mammal, which is noted for defending its burrow like a knight of old, may come from the badger's knightly emblem. The creature's white head with a broad black stripe on each side of the snout may have brought to mind a badge, hence badger. Good evidence supporting this theory is that an earlier name for the animal was bauson, which comes from the Old French word baucenc, usually referring to a white patch on a horse and also meaning "badger." Bauson is first recorded by 1375, badger in 1523.

badger
Noun
a stocky burrowing mammal with a black and white striped head
Verb
to pester or harass [probably from badge]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.Badger - a native or resident of Wisconsin
American - a native or inhabitant of the United States
2.badgerbadger - sturdy carnivorous burrowing mammal with strong claws; widely distributed in the northern hemisphere
mustelid, musteline, musteline mammal - fissiped fur-bearing carnivorous mammals
American badger, Taxidea taxus - a variety of badger native to America
Eurasian badger, Meles meles - a variety of badger native to Europe and Asia
ferret badger - small ferret-like badger of southeast Asia
Arctonyx collaris, hog badger, hog-nosed badger, sand badger - southeast Asian badger with a snout like a pig
Verb1.badgerbadger - annoy persistently; "The children teased the boy because of his stammer"
bedevil, dun, rag, torment, frustrate, crucify - treat cruelly; "The children tormented the stuttering teacher"
2.badger - persuade through constant efforts
persuade - cause somebody to adopt a certain position, belief, or course of action; twist somebody's arm; "You can't persuade me to buy this ugly vase!"

badger
verb pester, worry, harry, bother, bug (informal) bully, plague, hound, get at, harass, nag, hassle (informal) chivvy, importune, bend someone's ear (informal) be on someone's back (slang) >> habitation set or sett
Translations
Spanish badger [ˈbædʒəʳ] ntejón m
French badger [ˈbædʒəʳ] nblaireau m
vtharceler

German badger [ˈbædʒəʳ] nDachs m
vtzusetzen +dat

Italian badger [ˈbædʒəʳ] ntasso
vttormentare

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