English edit

Etymology edit

From spermo- +‎ -phile, hence, "seed-lover".

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈspɜː(ɹ)məfaɪl/

Noun edit

spermophile (plural spermophiles)

  1. A terrestrial burrowing rodent; ground squirrel.
    • 1920, Thornton W. Burgess, “Striped Chipmunk and his Cousins”, in The Burgess Animal Book for Children[1]:
      Your cousin, Seek Seek the Spermophile, sometimes called Gopher Squirrel, who lives on the open plains of the West where there are no rocks or stones. He likes best the flat, open country. He is called Spermophile because that means seed-eater, and he lives largely on seeds, especially on grain.

Synonyms edit

Derived terms edit

French edit

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /spɛʁ.mɔ.fil/
  • (file)

Noun edit

spermophile m (plural spermophiles)

  1. spermophile

Derived terms edit

Further reading edit