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Glite Dictionary
red-backed lemming

red-backed lemming

8.9
A small animal like a mouse with a red stripe on its back that lives in cold northern areas
  • noun
  • /rɛd bækt ˈlɛmɪŋ/
  • US
translation icon : lemming de lomo rojo
  • The red-backed lemming has a distinctive reddish-brown stripe on its back.

Examples

  • The red-backed lemming inhabits the tundra regions across northern Europe and Asia.

  • Predators such as owls regularly hunt the red-backed lemming for food.

  • During harsh winters, the population of red-backed lemmings often fluctuates dramatically.

  • The red-backed lemming is a fascinating creature.

  • Many red-backed lemmings can be found in the tundra.

  • In the Arctic tundra, the red-backed lemming plays an important role in the ecosystem.

  • The red-backed lemming builds its nests under the snow during the winter months.

Synonyms

lemming
vsred-backed lemming
16 6.8

A small animal like a mouse with a short tail that sometimes moves long distances in large groups

is a specific species marked by a reddish stripe and wider northern range

Surface Forms

red-backed lemming singular
red-backed lemmings plural

Morphology

red-backed + lemming

The noun phrase is a straightforward descriptive compound: 'red-backed' means 'having a red stripe or area on the back' and combines with 'lemming' to denote a lemming with a red back. This compositional color + body-part + animal pattern is cross-linguistically common and easily inferable by a B1 learner who knows 'red' and 'back', so the meaning is transparent.

Etymology

Red-backed lemming: The name red-backed lemming comes from the animal's look: it has a red stripe along its back. So, because it is a 'small rodent' called a lemming, the name simply describes the animal.