coyote

n. a wild animal from North America that looks like a small wolf.

n. a species of canine (Canis latrans) native to North America, smaller than a wolf and known for its distinctive howl.

“We heard a coyote howling in the hills behind our house last night.”

“Ecologists have noted that the coyote has successfully adapted to urban environments, often scavenging for food in suburban neighbourhoods at night.”

n. a person who is paid to help people cross a border illegally.

n. a person who smuggles undocumented immigrants across a land border, particularly from Latin America into the United States.

“The migrants paid a coyote thousands of dollars to guide them across the desert.”

“Border patrol agents reported an increase in activity from coyotes who exploit vulnerable families by promising safe passage for exorbitant fees.”

American English · Informal

n. a character in Native American stories who is often clever and plays tricks.

n. a prominent trickster figure appearing in the mythologies and folklore of various indigenous peoples of North America.

“In many traditional stories, Coyote is a clever character who teaches lessons through his mistakes.”

“The oral traditions of the Navajo often feature Coyote as a complex figure who embodies both creative and destructive impulses.”

Literary