dormouse etymology

Etymology:

• Old English "dormeus," from Medieval Latin "dormire," meaning "to sleep."

Meaning:

• A small, nocturnal rodent resembling a mouse that sleeps through the winter.

Origin:

The origin of the word "dormouse" is closely linked to the animal's sleep habits. In medieval times, the terms "dormeus" and "mus dormitorius" (sleeping mouse) were used to describe these small rodents that hibernated.

As a result of the animals' long periods of sleep, the word "dormouse" became synonymous with sleepiness or lethargy. Today, the term "dormouse" is primarily used to refer to the small rodents and has not retained its broader meaning of sleepiness.

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