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Where does the word "rodent" come from? It comes from Latin rodere, and was adopted directly into English (1830s).
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Where does the word "rodent" come from? It comes from Latin rodere, and was adopted directly into English (1830s).
Rodent’s story begins in Latin: rodere meant “to gnaw.” The root of 'corrode' and 'erode'. It reached English by 1830s as rodent. Coined by zoologists for the gnawing mammals. Today, rodent means a gnawing mammal such as a rat.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient rodere "to gnaw", the root of 'corrode' and 'erode'.
- Stage 2 · English · 1830s rodent "gnawing animal", coined by zoologists for the gnawing mammals.