DCHP-1 Online

marmot

• 1 n. any of several squirrel-like animals living largely on the ground, usually applied to the genus Spermophilus.

  See also: ground squirrel  

  • 1821  (1823)  Dr. Richardson found in the stomach of this animal the remains of a seal, several marmots. . . .
  • 1897  We were not altogether unsuccessful, assembling in the evening with five marmots (little animals about the size of squirrels).

• 2 n. a large marmot, Marmota caligata, of the western mountains.

  See also: hoary marmot  

  • 1955  Crossing to the door, I opened it hesitantly, and in tumbled four fat marmots, the size of badgers which, except for colour, they somewhat resembled.