ˌped.ȯˈristə noun
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin petaurista ropedancer, from petaurum stage or springboard used by ropedancers (modification of Greek peteuron platform, roost) + -ista -ist; akin to Greek petesthai to fly — more at feather
: a genus of large Asiatic flying squirrels some of which may reach a length of 18 inches excluding the long bushy tail