cricetid

noun

cri·​ce·​tid krī-ˈsē-təd How to pronounce cricetid (audio)
-ˈse-
: any of a family (Cricetidae) of small rodents including the hamsters, voles, lemmings, gerbils, and New World rats and mice that are often grouped with the murids
cricetid adjective

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from New Latin Cricetus, genus name, of Slavic origin; akin to Czech křeček hamster

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cricetid was in 1960

Dictionary Entries Near cricetid

cribwork

cricetid

cricetine

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Cite this Entry

“Cricetid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cricetid. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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