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

Thousands of bushels of grain are eaten or spoiled by small mammals, such as mice, rats, and spermophiles or gophers.

From Project Gutenberg

They are all marmots, that is what they are; and why confound the study of them by calling them spermophiles and arctomys, and such-like hard names?”

From Project Gutenberg

In the Middle West, especially in Indiana, the little spermophile, sometimes called the ground-squirrel, is common and not afraid to venture into the outskirts of a village.

From Project Gutenberg

Every boy and girl loves the little fairy, airy striped chipmunk, half squirrel, half spermophile.

From Project Gutenberg

Then she brought in young rabbits, chipmunks and thirteen-lined spermophiles, and once she came in, quite exhausted, half dragging and half carrying a big, fat pocket gopher.

From Project Gutenberg