Advertisement

Advertisement

insectivore

[ in-sek-tuh-vawr, -vohr ]

noun

  1. an insectivorous animal or plant.
  2. any mammal of the order Insectivora, comprising the moles, shrews, and Old World hedgehogs.


insectivore

/ ɪnˈsɛktɪˌvɔː /

noun

  1. any placental mammal of the order Insectivora, being typically small, with simple teeth, and feeding on invertebrates. The group includes shrews, moles, and hedgehogs
  2. any animal or plant that derives nourishment from insects


insectivore

/ ĭn-sĕktə-vôr′ /

  1. An animal or plant that feeds mainly on insects.
  2. Any of various small, usually nocturnal mammals of the order Insectivora that feed on insects and other invertebrates. Insectivores have long snouts and resemble rodents, but lack gnawing incisors. Moles, shrews, hedgehogs, and tenrecs are insectivores.


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of insectivore1

1860–65; back formation from insectivorous; -vore

Discover More

Example Sentences

It is a rare Insectivore of the genus Hylomys and possibly a species new to science.

In some of the characters of the teeth, Eupleres is Insectivore-like, and was formerly grouped with that family.

Ericulus setosus is a small Insectivore, resembling externally a small Hedgehog.

Indeed, one insectivore of the genus Sorex (the shrew-mouse genus) is the absolutely smallest mammal which is known to exist.

The other is a peculiar insectivore (Solenodon paradoxus), the only other representatives of whose family are found in Madagascar.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

firkin

[fur-kin ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Insectivorainsectivorous