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Definition of dormouse

dormouse

/ˈdɔːrˌmaʊs/
dor · mouse
Plural:dormice
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dormouse Lexical Profile

dormouse Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small, primarily nocturnal rodent of the family Gliridae, native to Europe, Africa, and Asia, characterized by its furry tail and renowned for its extensive periods of winter hibernation.

Example

"During our hike in the English woodland, we were lucky enough to spot a hazel dormouse resting in the thicket."

• Nearby Words

dormer
dormered
dormitory
dormouse
doronicum
dorotheanthus
dorsal

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'dormous', likely derived from an Anglo-Norman variant of Old French 'dormir' (to sleep), and later altered by folk etymology to include the word 'mouse' due to the animal's physical appearance.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dormouse. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dormouse
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