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Glite Dictionary
ratlike

ratlike

6.3
A person or animal that has the look and actions of a rat
  • adjective
  • /ˈrætˌlaɪk/
translation icon : ratico
  • The species was known to be a ratlike creature with a somewhat bushy-tipped tail, which presumably lived in saltbush areas near salt flats.

Examples

  • Despite its ratlike appearance, the animal was surprisingly friendly and curious.

  • But it said, "Another one," in a harsh, deep voice, and shuffled over toward him, with a long, ratlike tail snaking and coiling behind.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Strickland was a fussy, gossipy, excitable little man with pointed, ratlike ears and the physical mannerisms of an elderly woman.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • The ratlike creature scurried across the floor, its long tail trailing behind.

  • With its sharp claws and ratlike features, the creature was perfectly adapted to life in the sewers.

Synonyms

ratty
vsratlike
2 7.5

Having a thin, dirty look that reminds you of a small animal

has the same meaning but differs only in word form

How Rat-like

verminous
  • Offensive
1 9.2
ratty
2 7.5
ratlike
6.3

Surface Forms

ratlike positive

Morphology

ratlike = rat (transparent) = rat + like

The adjective is directly formed by adding the productive suffix '-like' to 'rat', meaning 'resembling a rat'.

Etymology

Ratlike comes from the simple parts rat and -like, where -like means 'similar to', as in childlike. So, to be ratlike is to look or behave 'like a rat', often in a sneaky or quick way.