pygmy mouse
- noun
- /ˈpɪɡmi maʊs/
- US
:
ratón enano
- The pygmy mouse is known for its tiny size and agile movements.
Examples
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Unlike the house mouse, the pygmy mouse tends to avoid human dwellings.
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Scientists discovered a new population of pygmy mice in northern Mexico.
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The pygmy mouse is native to Texas.
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Have you ever seen a pygmy mouse?
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Scientists discovered a new population of pygmy mice in northern Mexico.
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The pygmy mouse is known for its tiny size and agile movements.
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Unlike the house mouse, the pygmy mouse tends to avoid human dwellings.
Synonyms
587
1.0
A small animal with a pointed nose, small ears, and a long tail
A very small dark brown mouse from Texas and Mexico that looks like a house mouse
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase is a straightforward composition of 'pygmy' (very small) modifying 'mouse' (a small rodent), so the meaning 'a very small mouse' is directly derivable from its parts. This adjective+noun naming pattern is common across languages and follows standard English composition, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily understand the MWE.
Etymology
Pygmy mouse gets its name from how small the animal is. The word pygmy means 'very small' and mouse is the little animal, so the name shows it is a very small mouse.