rodent

American  

[rohd-nt] / ˈroʊd nt /

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the gnawing or nibbling mammals of the order Rodentia, including the mice, squirrels, beavers, etc.

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noun

1. a rodent mammal.

rodent British  

/ ˈrəʊdənt /

noun

1. 1. any of the relatively small placental mammals that constitute the order Rodentia , having constantly growing incisor teeth specialized for gnawing. The group includes porcupines, rats, mice, squirrels, marmots, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      rodent characteristics

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rodent Scientific  

/ rōd′nt /

1. Any of various very numerous, mostly small mammals of the order Rodentia, having large front teeth used for gnawing. The teeth grow throughout the animal's life, and are kept from getting too long by gnawing. Rodents make up about half the living species of mammals, and include rats, mice, beavers, squirrels, lemmings, shrews, and hamsters.

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Other Word Forms

• rodent-like adjective
• rodentlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of rodent

1825–35; < New Latin Rodentia Rodentia

Example Sentences

Thorabella Farm, near Forres, said the animals - the world's largest rodents and native to South America - vanished from their heated enclosure on Tuesday.

From BBC

Earlier research in rodents has shown that the thalamus plays an important role in organizing neural circuits in the cortex.

From Science Daily

Rourke alleged that the floors were rotted, there was no running water in a couple of places there should have been and the place was infested with rodents.

From Los Angeles Times

At first, this rodent equivalent of downsizing dimmed the mouse’s mood.

From Los Angeles Times

These bacteria are common in rodents and are also found in humans.

From Science Daily