Tamias

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A small burrowing rodent known for its cheek pouches used to store food; commonly referred to as a chipmunk, often found in North America; recognized for its striped fur and active foraging behavior
2. A member of the rodent family characterized by its compact size and playful nature; this creature is often seen gathering seeds and nuts to cache for winter; it exhibits a distinctive pattern of stripes along its back
3. A fur-covered mammal from the Sciuridae family popular in gardens and forests; notable for its ability to climb trees and its vocal chirping sounds; typically noted for its adorable appearance and energetic foraging habits

Etymology: In ancient Greek, "tamias" was a steward, the person trusted to keep a household's stores and dispense them. The word derives from "tamieion," a storeroom, and ultimately from a root meaning "to cut," so its original sense was about keeping and allotting supplies. The animal got the name because of its habit of stockpiling. Chipmunks gather seeds and nuts and cache them in burrows for winter, much as a steward would guard a larder. Naturalists borrowed the Greek word as the scientific name for the genus, and the striped rodent took on a title meant for a keeper of provisions.

Synonyms: chipmunks