marmot

[ mahr-muht ]

noun
  1. any bushy-tailed, stocky rodent of the genus Marmota, as the woodchuck.

  2. any of certain related animals, as the prairie dog

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Origin of marmot

1
First recorded in 1600–10; from French marmotte, Old French, apparently noun derivative of marmotter “to mutter, murmur” (referring to the whistling noises made by such animals), equivalent to marm- imitative base denoting a variety of indistinct, continuous sounds + -ot(t)er suffix of expressive verbs (though verb is attested only in modern French ); cf. murmur

Words Nearby marmot

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use marmot in a sentence

  • "Post-office's shut," marmot replied curtly, as he stood up.

    Colonial Born | G. Firth Scott
  • As he turned to the door, he faced the men standing round marmot.

    Colonial Born | G. Firth Scott

British Dictionary definitions for marmot

marmot

/ (ˈmɑːmət) /


noun
  1. any burrowing sciurine rodent of the genus Marmota, of Europe, Asia, and North America. They are heavily built, having short legs, a short furry tail, and coarse fur

  2. prairie marmot another name for prairie dog

Origin of marmot

1
C17: from French marmotte, perhaps ultimately from Latin mūr- (stem of mūs) mouse + montis of the mountain

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012