spermophile

[ spur-muh-fahyl, -fil ]

noun

1. any of various burrowing rodents of the squirrel family, especially of the genus Spermophilus (or Citellus ), sometimes sufficiently numerous to do much damage to crops, as the ground squirrels and susliks.

spermophile

/ ˈspɜːməʊˌfaɪl /

noun

1. any of various North American ground squirrels of the genera Citellus, Spermophilopsis, etc, regarded as pests in many regions

Word History and Origins

Origin of spermophile¹

1815–25; spermo- + -phile, modeled on New Latin spermophilus

Word History and Origins

Origin of spermophile¹

C19: from sperm ( at ) o- + -phile , on the model of New Latin spermophilus a seed-lover

Example Sentences

Harris saw a Spermophile, of what species none of us could tell.

From Project Gutenberg

He is called Spermophile because that means seed-eater, and he lives largely on seeds, especially on grain.

From Project Gutenberg