kangaroo mouse
- noun
- /ˌkæŋɡəˈruː maʊs/
- Specialized
:
ratón canguro
- The kangaroo mouse is known for its unique jumping ability.
Examples
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The kangaroo mouse has adapted to survive in arid desert environments.
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Researchers observed several kangaroo mice foraging at night.
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A kangaroo mouse can leap a surprising distance relative to its size.
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Many kangaroo mice live in arid regions.
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The kangaroo mouse can leap a surprising distance relative to its size.
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Researchers observed several kangaroo mice foraging at night.
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The kangaroo mouse has adapted to survive in arid desert environments.
Synonyms
A group of small desert mice called kangaroo mice in western North America
A small rodent active at night that lives in burrows and carries seeds in cheek pouches
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound 'kangaroo mouse' transparently denotes a mouse-like rodent that resembles or behaves like a kangaroo (i.e., a small rodent that hops), so the overall meaning is directly inferable from 'kangaroo' + 'mouse'. This kind of analogical animal-naming is a common and cross-linguistic compositional pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents is likely to understand the MWE.
Etymology
The animal kangaroo mouse is named for how it looks and moves: the little mouse has long back legs and hops like a tiny kangaroo, and it even has outside cheek pouches to carry food. So the name helps you remember a small desert rodent that 'jumps' far for its size.
