arvicolous
|ar-vi-co-lous|
🇺🇸
/ˈɑr.vɪ.kə.ləs/
🇬🇧
/ˈɑː.vɪ.kə.ləs/
field‑dwelling (vole/lemming related)
Etymology
'arvicolous' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'Arvicola', where 'arvi-' comes from Latin 'arvum' meaning 'field' and '-cola' meant 'dweller'.
'arvicolous' was formed from the New Latin name 'Arvicola' (a genus name meaning 'field‑dweller'), then adapted into English as an adjective meaning 'of or relating to Arvicola or similar field‑dwelling rodents'.
Initially it referred specifically to animals of the genus 'Arvicola' (field‑dwelling rodents); over time it has come to describe traits or habitats associated with voles, lemmings, and other field‑dwelling rodents (and by extension organisms living in similar habitats).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of voles, lemmings, and other members of the rodent subfamily Arvicolinae; field‑dwelling (of small rodents).
Ecologists documented the population cycles of several arvicolous species in the Arctic tundra.
Synonyms
Adjective 2
living in or inhabiting fields, meadows, or grassy habitats (used more generally of organisms).
Certain plants and insects are described as arvicolous when they primarily occur in meadow habitats.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/25 04:10