n. a large area of usu. treeless grassland esp. in N. America.
Phrases and idioms:
prairie chicken (or hen) a N. American grouse, Tympanuchus cupido. prairie dog any N. American rodent of the genus Cynomys, living in burrows and making a barking sound. prairie oyster a seasoned raw egg, swallowed without breaking the yolk. prairie schooner US a covered wagon used by the 19th-c. pioneers in crossing the N. American prairies. prairie wolf COYOTE.
Etymology: F f. OF praerie ult. f. L pratum meadow