Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
deskfast
deskill
deskin
deskman
deskperson
desktop
desktop publishing
desm-
desman
desmid
desmo-
desmosome
desolate
desorption
despair
despairing
despatch
Click to move down the list of words
Also available:

World English Dictionary
Dictionnaire Français

desman

des·man [ déssmən ] (plural des·mans)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. Pyrenean amphibious mammal: an amphibious mammal resembling a mole that has dense fur, webbed feet, and a flat scaly tail. Native to: Pyrenees.  Latin name Galemys pyrenaicus.

2. Russian amphibious mammal: an amphibious mammal related to the Pyrenean desman. Native to: Russia.  Latin name Desmana moschata.

[Late 18th century. Shortening of Swedish desmanråtta "muskrat" < desman "musk" + råtta "rat"]
Advertisement

© 2009 Microsoft