sewellel

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun bulky nocturnal burrowing rodent of uplands of the Pacific coast of North America; the most primitive living rodent

Etymology

From a misunderstanding by Lewis and Clark of Chinook sewellel, shewellel, which actually denotes a robe made from pelt of this rodent rather than the rodent itself.

In classic literature

Synonyms

mountain beaver, Aplodontia rufa

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