water mouse

English

Alternative forms

• water-mouse, watermouse

Etymology

From Middle English water mous, watermowse, equivalent to water +‎ mouse.

Noun

water mouse (plural water mice)

1. (zoology) Any of several species of rodents of the genus Hydromys, native to New Guinea and Australia, with strong hind legs and partially webbed toes.

   Synonym: water rat

2. Xeromys myoides

See also

• rakali

References

• “water mouse”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.