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Glite Dictionary
common shrew

common shrew

5.8
A small mouse-like mammal with a pointed nose and thick fur found in Europe and northern Asia
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : musaraña común
  • Unlike mice, the common shrew has a distinctly pointed snout and tiny eyes.

Examples

  • The common shrew has a high metabolism and must eat frequently throughout the day.

  • We spotted a common shrew darting through the undergrowth during our nature walk.

  • Look at that common shrew scurrying across the path!

  • The common shrew is often found in gardens.

  • The common shrew has a high metabolism and must eat frequently throughout the day.

  • We spotted a common shrew darting through the undergrowth during our nature walk.

  • Look at that common shrew scurrying across the path!

Synonyms

Sorex araneus
vscommon shrew
  • UK
9.9

A small brown mammal with a long pointed nose that eats insects and lives in Europe and northern Asia

is the everyday name used to refer to the same animal

Surface Forms

common shrew singular
common shrews plural

Morphology

common + shrew

The meaning is compositionally built: 'common' (frequent, widespread) modifies 'shrew' (small mammal), so the phrase denotes a shrew species that is widespread. This adjective + noun species naming is a standard, cross-linguistic pattern and would be readily understood by a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

Common shrew is a literal name: shrew is a small, pointed‑nosed mammal and common means 'found in many places'. So the name simply describes a small shrew species that is widespread.