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Glite Dictionary
least shrew

least shrew

9.9
A very small brown mammal like a mouse that lives in grassy areas in the eastern United States
  • noun
  • /liːst ʃruː/
  • US
translation icon : musaraña menor
  • Researchers tracked the population of the least shrew throughout several counties in the eastern United States.

Examples

  • Predators such as owls and snakes often hunt the least shrew at night.

  • The least shrew is notable for its tiny size and rapid movements in grassy fields.

  • The least shrew is one of the smallest mammals in North America.

  • I spotted a least shrew while walking in the park.

  • The least shrew is often found scurrying through the grass in search of insects.

  • In our backyard, we spotted a tiny brown creature, the least shrew, darting between the blades of grass.

  • Researchers noted an increase in the population of the least shrew in the eastern United States.

Synonyms

Cryptotis parva
vsleast shrew
  • Specialized
9.9

A very small brown mammal like a mouse that lives in grasslands of the eastern United States

is the common name for the same animal rather than the scientific label

Surface Forms

least shrew singular
least shrews plural

Morphology

least + shrew

The noun phrase's meaning is directly compositional: 'least' (= smallest) modifies 'shrew' (a small mammal), so a learner who knows both words can infer it denotes the smallest/very small shrew. This superlative + noun pattern is predictable and cross-linguistically common, making it immediately comprehensible at B1.

Etymology

Least shrew: The name least shrew comes from a simple description: least means 'smallest' and shrew is a tiny, mouse-like animal, so the name points to the smallest kind of shrew. That's why today it refers to a very small shrew species.