badgerlike
|bad-ger-like|
🇺🇸
/ˈbædʒərˌlaɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˈbædʒəˌlaɪk/
resembling a badger
Etymology
'badgerlike' originates from English, formed as a compound of 'badger' + 'like', where 'badger' denotes the animal and 'like' means 'similar to' or 'having the form of'.
'badger' derives from Middle English 'bageard' (attested by the 16th century) of uncertain earlier origin; 'like' comes from Old English 'lic' meaning 'form' or 'appearance'. The adjective 'badgerlike' is a later English compound combining these elements.
Initially it meant 'similar in appearance to a badger'; over time it has also acquired figurative senses such as 'having the persistence or temperament of a badger.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
resembling or characteristic of a badger in appearance (e.g., markings, shape).
The small mammal had a badgerlike stripe across its face.
Synonyms
Adjective 2
having qualities associated with a badger, such as stubbornness, tenacity, or digging/persistent behavior (figurative).
Her badgerlike determination helped her complete the difficult research.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/30 03:06