Word Study
wallaby
CIDE DICTIONARY
wallaby, n. [From a native name.].
Any one of numerous species of kangaroos belonging to the genus Halmaturus , native of Australia and Tasmania, especially the smaller species, as the brush kangaroo (Halmaturus Bennettii ) and the pademelon (Halmaturus thetidis ). The wallabies chiefly inhabit the wooded district and bushy plains. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
wallaby, n. (pl. -ies)
1 any of various marsupials of the family Macropodidae, smaller than kangaroos, and having large hind feet and long tails.
2 (Wallabies) colloq. the Australian international Rugby Union team.
1 any of various marsupials of the family Macropodidae, smaller than kangaroos, and having large hind feet and long tails.
2 (Wallabies) colloq. the Australian international Rugby Union team.
Idiom
on the wallaby (or wallaby track) Austral. vagrant; unemployed.
Etymology
Aboriginal wolaba
ROGET THESAURUS
wallaby
Leap
N leap, jump, hop, spring, bound, vault, saltation, ance, caper, curvet, caracole, gambade, gambado, capriole, demivolt, buck, buck jump, hop skip and jump, falcade, kangaroo, jerboa, chamois, goat, frog, grasshopper, flea, buckjumper, wallaby, leaping, saltatory, frisky, on the light fantastic toe, di salto in salto.For further exploring for "wallaby" in Webster Dictionary Online