from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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A man . . . grudgeth that shrews [i. e., bad men]
have prosperity, or else that good men have
adversity. --Chaucer.
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A man had got a shrew to his wife, and there could
be no quiet in the house for her. --L'Estrange.
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2. [AS. scre['a]wa; -- so called because supposed to be
venomous. ] (Zool.) Any small insectivore of the genus
{Sorex} and several allied genera of the family
{Sorecidae}. 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.
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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 ({Sorex platyrhinus}), Cooper's
shrew ({Sorex 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}).
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{Earth shrew}, any shrewlike burrowing animal of the family
{Centetidae}, 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.
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from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Jumping \Jump"ing\, p. a. & vb. n.
of {Jump}, to leap.
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{Jumping bean}, a seed of a Mexican {Euphorbia}, containing
the larva of a moth ({Carpocapsa saltitans}). The larva by
its sudden movements causes the seed to roll to roll and
jump about.
{Jumping deer} (Zool.), a South African rodent ({Pedetes
Caffer}), allied to the jerboa.
{Jumping louse} (Zool.), any of the numerous species of plant
lice belonging to the family {Psyllid[ae]}, several of
which are injurious to fruit trees.
{Jumping mouse} (Zool.), North American mouse ({Zapus
Hudsonius}), having a long tail and large hind legs. It is
noted for its jumping powers. Called also {kangaroo
mouse}.
{Jumping mullet} (Zool.), gray mullet.
{Jumping shrew} (Zool.), any African insectivore of the genus
{Macroscelides}. They are allied to the shrews, but have
large hind legs adapted for jumping.
{Jumping spider} (Zool.), spider of the genus {Salticus} and
other related genera; one of the Saltigrad[ae]; -- so
called because it leaps upon its prey.
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