Home UK English microtine

Meaning of microtine in English:

microtine

Pronunciation /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)tiːn/ /ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)tʌɪn/

noun

Zoology

  • A rodent of the subfamily Microtinae (family Muridae) of rodents, which includes voles, lemmings, muskrats, and mole-voles.

adjective

Zoology

  • Belonging to the subfamily Microtinae; of or relating to rodents of this subfamily.

Origin

Late 19th century; earliest use found in American Naturalist. From scientific Latin Microtinae, subfamily name from Microtus, genus name (F. von Paula SchrankFauna Boica 1 66) (from micro- + ancient Greek ὠτ-, οὖς ear: see oto-) + -inae.