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Glite Dictionary
Muscardinus avellanarius

Muscardinus avellanarius

9.9
A small animal like a mouse that lives in trees with golden brown fur and sleeps through winter
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Muscardinus avellanarius
  • Did you know that the Muscardinus avellanarius hibernates for months?

Examples

  • The Muscardinus avellanarius is often found in hazel trees.

  • The population of Muscardinus avellanarius has declined in many parts of Europe due to habitat loss.

  • Muscardinus avellanarius is protected by law in several countries because of its vulnerable status.

  • Researchers observed the feeding habits of Muscardinus avellanarius in a restored woodland area.

  • The population of Muscardinus avellanarius has declined in many parts of Europe due to habitat loss.

  • Researchers observed the feeding habits of Muscardinus avellanarius in a restored woodland area.

  • Muscardinus avellanarius is protected by law in several countries because of its vulnerable status.

Synonyms

dormouse
vsMuscardinus avellanarius
  • UK
3 6.9

A small furry animal like a mouse with a bushy tail that sleeps through winter

refers to one specific species with golden brown fur and regular hibernation

Surface Forms

Muscardinus avellanarius singular
Muscardini avellanarii plural

Morphology

Muscardinus + avellanarius

This is a Latin scientific binomial rather than a transparent English phrase; the constituent elements are taxonomic labels (one technical, the other not found in the learner dictionary) and do not convey the everyday meaning 'hazel dormouse' to a typical B1 learner. Even if a learner recognised one element as a genus, the species epithet is obscure and the overall referent is a proper name, so the meaning is not derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Muscardinus avellanarius comes from Latin words: Muscardinus was a word for a small 'dormouse' and avellanarius means 'of the hazel'. The name fits because this little, golden-brown animal lives in hazel trees and eats hazelnuts, so the words help you remember the species.