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Glite Dictionary
Cricetidae

Cricetidae

9.9
A group of small animals like hamsters, voles, and mice mainly in the Americas
  • noun
  • /ˌkrɪsɪˈteɪdiː/
  • Specialized
: Cricetidae
  • The family Cricetidae includes many species of hamsters that are popular as pets.

Examples

  • Several members of Cricetidae, such as lemmings and voles, inhabit cold northern environments.

  • The family Cricetidae includes various small rodents.

  • Research on the evolutionary history of Cricetidae has shed light on rodent diversification.

  • Many species of Cricetidae are found in North America.

  • The family Cricetidae encompasses a variety of small rodents, including hamsters and voles.

  • Researchers study Cricetidae to better understand the behavior and ecology of these small rodents.

  • Many species classified as Cricetidae are known to thrive in diverse habitats across the Americas.

Surface Forms

Cricetidae singular
Cricetidae plural

Morphology

Cricetidae = cricet + idae

The word is a scientific taxonomic name formed from a Latin/Greek stem plus the family suffix '-idae', which is not productive or familiar to average learners, so its meaning is not derivable from common English morphemes.

Etymology

Cricetidae comes from the genus Cricetus, the common hamster, and the family ending -idae, which means 'family' of animals. So Cricetidae is the 'family' that groups hamsters, voles, lemmings and other small rodents.