资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Mole \Mole\, n. [OE. molle, either shortened fr. moldwerp, or
from the root of E. mold soil: cf. D. mol, OD. molworp. See
{Moldwarp}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any insectivore of the family {Talpid[ae]}.
They have minute eyes and ears, soft fur, and very large
and strong fore feet.
Note: The common European mole, or moldwarp ({Talpa
Europ[ae]a}), is noted for its extensive burrows. The
common American mole, or shrew mole ({Scalops
aquaticus}), and star-nosed mole ({Condylura cristata})
have similar habits.
Note: In the Scriptures, the name is applied to two
unindentified animals, perhaps the chameleon and mole
rat.
2. A plow of peculiar construction, for forming underground
drains. [U.S.]
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.
A man . . . grudgeth that shrews [i. e., bad men]
have prosperity, or else that good men have
adversity. --Chaucer.
A man had got a shrew to his wife, and there could
be no quiet in the house for her. --L'Estrange.
2. [AS. scre['a]wa; -- so called because supposed to be
venomous. ] (Zo["o]l.) Any small insectivore of the genus
{Sorex} and several allied genera of the family
{Sorecid[ae]}. 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.
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 ({S. platyrhinus}), Cooper's shrew
({S. 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}).
{Earth shrew}, any shrewlike burrowing animal of the family
{Centetid[ae]}, 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.