dormouse
English
/ˈdɔɹmaʊs/, /ˈdɔːmaʊs/
noun
Definitions
- Any of several species of small, mostly European rodents of the family Gliridae; also called Myoxidae or by some taxonomists.
- Glis glis, the edible dormouse
- (UK) , the hazel dormouse.
- (figuratively) A person who sleeps a great deal, or who falls asleep readily (by analogy with the sound hibernation of the dormouse).
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English dormous derived from Old Norse dár (benumbed).
Origin
Old Norse
dár
Gloss
benumbed