CHIPMUNK Definition & Meaning

chipmunk

[ chip-muhngk ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of several small, striped, terrestrial squirrels of the genera Tamias, of North America, and Eutamia, of Asia and North America, especially T. striatus, of eastern North America.

chipmunk

/ ˈ��ʃɪ��ˌ��ʌŋ�� /

noun

any burrowing sciurine rodent of the genera Tamias of E North America and Eutamias of W North America and Asia, typically having black-striped yellowish fur and cheek pouches for storing food

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of chipmunk¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; assimilated variant of earlier chitmunk, apparently from Ojibwe ��č��ٲ��·��ʔ “red squirrel,” equivalent to ��č��- “headfirst, face-down” + derivational elements; so called from the squirrel's manner of descending trees

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of chipmunk¹

C19: of Algonquian origin; compare Ojibwa atchitamon squirrel, literally: headfirst, referring to its method of descent from trees

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Nearby in the Rosemont Pavilion, the “Go Bowling” float loomed along with 16 other fantastical creations: chipmunks sharing an acorn, the Little Tramp dancing with his girl, B.B.

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“Behold, campers, this vile and destructive creature! This killer of songbirds! This murderer of chipmunks! This perfidious predator!”

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“Maybe it was just a baby rat. Maybe it was a lost chipmunk,” Mom is saying.

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For example, suburban developments that attempt to shove civilization into recently wild areas put humans in close contact with tick hosts like mice and chipmunks.

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In spring, find western bluebirds, great horned owls and tree frogs, chipmunks, buttercups, warblers and three species of hummingbirds.

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