roof rat
1
7.4
- noun
- /ruf ræt/
:
rata de tejado
- The roof rat is known for living in the upper parts of buildings where it can find food.
Examples
-
To prevent roof rats from entering your home, make sure all gaps and openings are sealed properly.
-
Very small mammals are scarce (no voles and only introduced house mice), while larger ones are relatively common (roof rats, Norway rats, rabbits, hares, and Australian brush-tailed possums).
Academic text (1991) -
Many homeowners have reported seeing roof rats scurrying along their rooftops at night.
Synonyms
1
2.3
A small dark animal like a large mouse that lives near people and often carries disease
A small black rat with a long tail that lives near houses and is often a pest
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning of 'roof rat' is directly and compositionally derived from 'roof' (top covering of a building) + 'rat' (a rodent), indicating a rat associated with or living in roofs. This habitat-based noun-noun compound is a transparent, cross-linguistically common pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the intended meaning.
Etymology
Roof rat is named for the simple image of a rat living in the roof or attic of a house. That's why the name refers to the small, agile 'house pest' often found in the upper parts of buildings.