rock squirrel
1
6.9
- noun
- /rɑk ˈskwɜrəl/
- US
:
ardilla de roca
Examples
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The rock squirrel is well-adapted to the arid environment of the Southwest.
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We spotted a rock squirrel sunning itself on a boulder during our hike.
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You can often see rock squirrels darting between rocks in national parks.
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The rock squirrel is commonly found in Arizona.
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I spotted a rock squirrel near the hiking trail.
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While hiking in the desert, we spotted a rock squirrel darting in and out of the boulders.
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The rock squirrel is known for its playful behavior and can often be seen chasing each other around rocky terrain.
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During our picnic, a rock squirrel approached us, hoping to snag some crumbs from our lunch.
Synonyms
A large grey ground squirrel that lives on rocky areas of the southwestern United States
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun is clearly compositional: combining 'rock' (rocky habitat) with 'squirrel' (a rodent) yields a squirrel associated with rocks or rocky areas, which matches the given definition. This kind of noun compounding is a common and transparent pattern in English and other languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Rock squirrel is a simple name that joins rock (the animal's home) and squirrel (the animal). These large gray ground squirrels live among rocks in dry parts of the Southwest, so the name means 'a squirrel that lives on or near rocks'.