pika
pika Lexical Profile
pika Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A small, short-legged mammal (genus Ochotona) closely related to rabbits and hares, characterized by rounded ears, no visible tail, and a high-pitched alarm call, natively inhabiting cold, mountainous regions of Asia and North America.
"While hiking the alpine trails of the Rocky Mountains, we heard the distinct, high-pitched squeak of a pika echoing from the rocks."
Word Nuance & Usage
Careful in spelling to distinguish 'pika' (the mammal) from its exact homophone 'pica' (an eating disorder involving non-nutritive substances, or a typographic unit).
• Rhymes for pika
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in English in the early 19th century, borrowed from the Evenki (Tungusic) word 'piika', possibly imitative of the animal's sharp, squeaking call, transmitted via Russian 'pishchukha'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.