rodent

[ rohd-nt ]

adjective

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

noun

1. a rodent mammal.

rodent

/ 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

rodent

/ 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.

Derived Forms

• ˈrodent-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• rodent·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rodent¹

1825–35; < New Latin Rodentia Rodentia

Word History and Origins

Origin of rodent¹

C19: from Latin rōdere to gnaw, corrode

Example Sentences

People seem very upset about the idea that the government is spending money spraying bobcat pee on rats, but here’s the thing: There are many rodent studies that waft bobcat pee, cat hair, fox odor, and more at mice.

From Slate

On the surface, nothing could seem less connected to Trump’s recent reelection than a TV series featuring a brilliant scientist who looks a bit like an upright walking cat, a blue-haired vigilante, a drug-dealing talking rodent and a seemingly all-powerful technology called Hextech.

From Salon

"To the group of people who called DEC, there’s a special place in hell for you," Mr Longo said in an Instagram post announcing the seizure, adding that he did not know if the ash-coloured rodent had been euthanised.

From BBC

Jim Fletcher, kitted out like a mad scientist on a retro electronics kick, shadows the president as though he were prancing around in his twisted dreams, sometimes in the guise of an unusually tall rodent.

From Los Angeles Times

When the BBC visited, we spotted evidence of a rodent infestation in the form of a trap, indicating the suspected presence of rats or mice.

From BBC