dormouse

[ dawr-mous ]

noun

, plural dor·mice [dawr, -mahys].

1. any small, furry-tailed, Old World rodent of the family Gliridae, resembling small squirrels in appearance and habits.

dormouse

/ ˈdɔːˌmaʊs /

noun

1. any small Old World rodent of the family Gliridae , esp the Eurasian Muscardinus avellanarius, resembling a mouse with a furry tail

Word History and Origins

Origin of dormouse¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English dormowse, dormoise; etymology obscure; perhaps Anglo-French derivative of Old French dormir “to sleep,” with final syllable reanalyzed as mouse, but no such Anglo-French word is known; dormant, mouse

Word History and Origins

Origin of dormouse¹

C15: dor-, perhaps from Old French dormir to sleep, from Latin dormīre + mouse

Example Sentences

As a contrast in size may be mentioned the dormouse (gls), which was thought a great delicacy.

From Project Gutenberg

The polatouch is a different species from the squirrel rat, or dormouse, though he participates of the nature of all three.

From Project Gutenberg

Alice did not wish to offend the Dormouse again, so she began very cautiously: 'But I don't understand.

From Project Gutenberg

The Dormouse has hid the brooch; and, pray, why am I for ever and ever to be denied the sight of my case?

From Project Gutenberg

But Dorothy—Dorothy Dormouse, as he liked to call her—set these preconceived notions at defiance.

From Project Gutenberg