Musk shrew

Musk shrew
Shrew Shrew, n. [See {Shrew}, a.] 1. Originally, a brawling, turbulent, vexatious person of either sex, but now restricted in use to females; a brawler; a scold. [1913 Webster]

A man . . . grudgeth that shrews [i. e., bad men] have prosperity, or else that good men have adversity. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

A man had got a shrew to his wife, and there could be no quiet in the house for her. --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]

2. [AS. scre['a]wa; -- so called because supposed to be venomous. ] (Zo["o]l.) Any small insectivore of the genus {Sorex} and several allied genera of the family {Sorecid[ae]}. In form and color they resemble mice, but they have a longer and more pointed nose. Some of them are the smallest of all mammals. [1913 Webster]

Note: The common European species are the house shrew ({Crocidura araneus}), and the erd shrew ({Sorex vulgaris}) (see under {Erd}.). In the United States several species of {Sorex} and {Blarina} are common, as the broadnosed shrew ({S. platyrhinus}), Cooper's shrew ({S. Cooperi}), and the short-tailed, or mole, shrew ({Blarina brevicauda}). Th American water, or marsh, shrew ({Neosorex palustris}), with fringed feet, is less common. The common European water shrews are {Crossopus fodiens}, and the oared shrew (see under {Oared}). [1913 Webster]

{Earth shrew}, any shrewlike burrowing animal of the family {Centetid[ae]}, as the tendrac.

{Elephant shrew}, {Jumping shrew}, {Mole shrew}. See under {Elephant}, {Jumping}, etc.

{Musk shrew}. See {Desman}.

{River shrew}, an aquatic West African insectivore ({Potamogale velox}) resembling a weasel in form and size, but having a large flattened and crested tail adapted for rapid swimming. It feeds on fishes.

{Shrew mole}, a common large North American mole ({Scalops aquaticus}). Its fine, soft fur is gray with iridescent purple tints. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Musk shrew — Musk Musk (m[u^]sk), n. [F. musc, L. muscus, Per. musk, fr. Skr. mushka testicle, orig., a little mouse. See {Mouse}, and cd. {Abelmosk}, {Muscadel}, {Muscovy duck}, {Nutmeg}.] 1. A substance of a reddish brown color, and when fresh of the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • musk shrew — paprastasis baltadantis kirstukas statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Crocidura russula angl. common European white toothed shrew; common white toothed shrew; greater white toothed shrew; musk shrew;… …   Žinduolių pavadinimų žodynas

  • musk shrew — noun 1. : any of various East Indian shrews having a powerful musky odor; especially : crocidura 2 2. : desman * * * musk shrew noun 1. The desman 2. A musky smelling Indian …   Useful english dictionary

  • musk shrew — pelinis muskusinis kirstukas statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Suncus murinus angl. house shrew; musk shrew vok. Moschusspitzmaus rus. бурая мускусная землеройка; гигантская белозубка; домовая… …   Žinduolių pavadinimų žodynas

  • musk shrew — noun A muskrat …   Wiktionary

  • Reddish-gray Musk Shrew — Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] …   Wikipedia

  • Long-tailed Musk Shrew — Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] …   Wikipedia

  • Doucet's Musk Shrew — Conservation status Data Deficient (IUCN 3.1)[1] …   Wikipedia

  • Greater Red Musk Shrew — Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] …   Wikipedia

  • Bicolored Musk Shrew — Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) Scientific classification K …   Wikipedia

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