cuniculus

[ kyoo-nik-yuh-luhs ]

noun

, plural cu·nic·u·li [kyoo-, nik, -y, uh, -lahy].

1. a small conduit or burrow, as an underground drain or rabbit hole.
2. a low tunnel, as to a burial chamber.
3. Pathology. a burrow in the skin caused by the itch mite.

Other Words From

• cu·nicu·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cuniculus¹

1660–70; < Latin: rabbit, burrow; cony

Example Sentences

Australian, and French O. cuniculus collected by museums prior to the virus's introduction.

From Science Magazine

It is known that domestic rabbits descended from the European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, which originated in France and Spain.

From New York Times

Just don’t underestimate that human representation of the Oryctolagus Cuniculus helping to relieve you of your bonus at the gaming tables: “Bunny Dealers need mental-arithmetic abilities comparable to a city broker,” the club said.

From BusinessWeek

The remains of both Cuniculus torquatus and of Myodus lemmus have been found in British pleistocene deposits.

From Project Gutenberg

About the time that the average city girl would have consumed with curling tongs, cashmere bouquet and in getting her hat on straight, Jack returned with a nice fat "jack" of the lepus cuniculus family, all ready for the coals.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• channel
• hole
• mine
• pit
• shaft
• subway
• underpass