antelope squirrel
- noun
- /ˈæntɪloʊp ˈskwɜrəl/
- US
:
ardilla antílope
- Unlike other rodents, the antelope squirrel has a distinctive white stripe along its sides.
Examples
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The antelope squirrel quickly scurried across the trail, its white side stripes gleaming in the sunlight.
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The antelope squirrel is often seen darting between rocks in the desert.
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We spotted an antelope squirrel gathering seeds near our campsite.
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The antelope squirrel is very agile.
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I saw an antelope squirrel at the park.
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During our hike, we saw an antelope squirrel foraging for food among the desert bushes.
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As we sat quietly, an antelope squirrel appeared, darting nimbly between the rocks.
Synonyms
232
1.0
A small animal with a long bushy tail that lives in trees and eats nuts and seeds
2
3.5
A small animal that lives in holes in the ground and often has stripes
A small ground squirrel with a white tail that moves quickly in the dry western United States
Surface Forms
Morphology
This is a straightforward noun–noun compound: it denotes a type of squirrel that has qualities associated with an antelope (e.g., speed or distinctive markings). Such descriptive animal names are compositionally transparent and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the basic meaning.
Etymology
Antelope squirrel may come from the way this small squirrel runs and hops like a tiny antelope, using long back legs and quick, skipping steps. So the name helps you picture a small, fast desert squirrel with a white stripe along its side.