n. a large area of usu. treeless grassland esp. in n. America. 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.
[ F f. OF praerie ult. f. L pratum meadow ]