shrew
shrew
Definition
shrew (s̸hro̵̅o̅)
noun
- any of a number of small, slender, mouselike insectivore mammals (esp. family Soricidae) with soft fur and a long, pointed snout
- a scolding, evil-tempered woman
Etymology: ME schrewe, a malicious person < OE screawa, shrewmouse, akin to OHG scrawaz, dwarf, goblin, MHG schröuwel, devil < IE *(s)ker-: see shred
shrew
Synonyms
shrew
n.
shrew
Usage Examples
Converse of object
- see: Big dry passages, lots of bats and spiders, we even saw a shrew in the cave.
- include: A number of small mammals will also now be present, including shrews ( left ), voles and mice.
- find: Finding water shrews is difficult as they tend to remain hidden in burrows and among vegetation.
Adjective modifier
- tiny: Britain's tiny, secretive water shrew leaves few signs and is under threat through habitat loss and pollution.
- common: Also first mammal casualty of the year - a common shrew brought in by the cat.
- poor: Come, Jack, lean ye on my shoulder, ye poor shrew.
- old: The old shrew has never allowed me egress to her premises.
- white-toothed: Shrews are notoriously small, ( the pygmy white-toothed shrew is the smallest extant mammal weighing a mere 2-3 grams at adult weight ).
- small: There are nearly 5,000 species of mammals the smallest shrew weighing only 1.75 grams, the largest whale up to 140 tons.
Modifies a noun
- people: However, being heavily influenced by shrew people 4000 years ago brought a new dimension of leisure.
- survey: Herefordshire water shrew survey The water shrew is Herefordshire's, and Britain's, least known land mammal.
- specie: In common with other shrew species, water shrews are protected under Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act ( 1981 ).
Noun used with modifier
- pigmy: There are healthy populations of hedgehogs, moles, field mice, common and pigmy shrews, and short-tailed and bank voles.
- pygmy: The mammal survey showed that wood mice live at Jumping Downs and pygmy shrew were found at some of the reptile survey sites!
- water: Water shrews often anchor themselves to rocks or plant stems to remain under water.
- tree: Animals used have mainly been cats and monkeys, but chickens and tree shrews also have been used.
- elephant: Have competition with Rob for silliest animal: elephant shrew wins.
- otter: The otter shrews are also found in West and central Africa.
shrew Quotes
Science had married the wilderness and was taming the savage shrew.
Browse dictionary entries near shrew
- Shreveport
- shredder
- shredded wheat
- shred
- shrapnel
- shrank
- shr
- shpt
- shp
- shoyu
- shrewd
- shrewdie
- shrewdly
- shrewdness
- shrewish
- shrewmouse
- Shrewsbury
- shriek
- shrieking
- shrievalty
