Dictionary

bungarra en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈbʌŋəɹə/ (Australia)
• /ˈbʌŋˌæɹə/ (Australia)

Etymology

From a Kartu language.

Meanings

1. (Australia) One of several species of large Australian monitor lizard, usually Varanus gouldii or Varanus panoptes.
   • On nearing the spot they were surprised to see a 5ft., or more, bungarra with its head through the hand grip of the bag. 1923, A Thirsty Bungarra, April 5, The Mullewa Mail, p. 3
   • This one bungarra, an' he lookin' for berry bush. But he know that fella eagle watchin' him and he know that fella is cunnin' fella. 1986, Jack Davis, “No Sugar”, in Heiss & Minter, editor, Macquarie PEN Anthology of Aboriginal Literature, Allen & Unwin, published 2008, page 61:
   • Our jam-tree, too, as Villiers knows, / Adds zest to boiled bungarra; / But p'r'aps he doesn't also know, / Though jam-trees in profusion grow, / We're also "Canning-Jarrah" 1902, A Mingled Yarn, March 30, The Sun, p. 4

Forms

Hyponyms

sand goanna · Gould's goanna