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Definition of xerinae

xerinae

/zɪˈraɪniː/
xe · ri · nae
Plural:xerinae
•
Adjective:xerine
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xerinae Lexical Profile

• noun

1

A subfamily of rodents within the squirrel family (Sciuridae) that comprises the mostly terrestrial ground squirrels, including marmots, prairie dogs, chipmunks, and African ground squirrels.

Example

"The zoologist specialized in the behavior of Xerinae, studying how these ground-dwelling squirrels adapt to living in arid environments and complex burrow systems."

• Rhymes for xerinae

• Nearby Words

xeraphin
xerasia
xerically
xerinae
xerine
xerochasy
xerodermatic

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the type genus Xerus (from Greek 'xēros', meaning 'dry', referring to their arid habitats) combined with '-inae', the standardized Latin zoological suffix indicating a taxonomic subfamily.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Xerinae. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/xerinae
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