Jumping shrew

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}).
         [1913 Webster]

   {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.
   [1913 Webster]

   {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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