dormouse

dor·mouse

noun \ˈdȯr-ˌmau̇s\

plural dor·mice \-ˌmīs\

Definition of DORMOUSE

: any of numerous small Old World rodents (especially family Myoxidae) that are intermediate in form and behavior between mice and squirrels

Origin of DORMOUSE

Middle English dormowse, perhaps from Anglo-French dormir + Middle English mous mouse

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Mammals Terms

dugong, gibbon, grimalkin, sable, stoat, ungulate, vole

Rhymes with DORMOUSE

alehouse, almshouse, baghouse, bathhouse, Bauhaus, big house, birdhouse, black grouse, blockhouse, boathouse, book louse, bughouse, bunkhouse, call house, cathouse, chophouse, clean house, clubhouse, cookhouse, courthouse, crab louse, crack house, deckhouse, deer mouse, degauss, delouse, doghouse, dollhouse, espouse, farmhouse, field house, field mouse, firehouse, flophouse, full house, fun house, gashouse, gatehouse, glasshouse, great house, greenhouse, grind house, guardhouse, guesthouse, hash house, head louse, henhouse, hothouse, house mouse, icehouse, in-house, jailhouse, joss house, keep house, lighthouse, lobscouse, longhouse, madhouse, Manaus, milk house, nuthouse, outhouse, penthouse, pesthouse, playhouse, poorhouse, ranch house, rest house, roadhouse, roughhouse, roundhouse, ruffed grouse, safe house, sage grouse, sandgrouse, schoolhouse, sea mouse, smokehouse, springhouse, statehouse, steak house, storehouse, teahouse, third house, titmouse, tollhouse, Toll House, town house, tract house, tree house, warehouse, washhouse, wheelhouse, White House, whorehouse, Wodehouse, wood louse, workhouse

dormouse

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Edible dormouse (Glis glis).—Schunemann/Bavaria-Verlag

Any of 20 rodent species (family Gliridae) found throughout Eurasia and northern Africa. Dormice have large eyes, soft fur, rounded ears, and a hairy (sometimes bushy) tail. They live in trees, bushes, and rock walls and in nests of plant material. They eat fruit, nuts, birds' eggs, and some insects and small animals. Many species sleep for long periods, particularly in winter. The largest species, the edible dormouse (Glis glis), is gray and attains a maximum length of about 8 in. (20 cm), excluding the 6-in. (15-cm) tail.