| 释义 |
hamster|ˈhæmstə(r)|
Also 6 hamester, 9 hampster.
[a. Ger. hamster; so in MHG.; OHG. had hamastro masc., OS. hamstra fem., corn-weevil.]
A species of rodent (Cricetus frumentarius) allied to the mouse and rat, found in parts of Europe and Asia; it is of a stout form, about 10 inches long, and has cheek-pouches in which it carries the grain with which it stores its burrows; it hibernates during the winter. Also applied to other pouched rodents allied to or resembling this.
1607Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1658) 413 The skins of Hamsters are very durable. 1744Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1862) I. vi. i. 454 The Cricetus, or German rat, which Mr. Buffon calls the hamster. 1849Sk. Nat. Hist., Mammalia IV. 69 Fortunately for England the hamster is not indigenous within the precincts of the island. 1886Edin. Rev. Apr. 350 Dormice and hamsters are found in the stony region South of Judea.
b. Also hamster-mouse, hamster-rat.
1607Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1658) 411 heading, Of the Hamester-mouse. 1829E. Jesse Jrnl. Nat. 151 The hairs of the hamster mouse..have a central perforation, apparently uninterrupted throughout their whole length. 1853Kingsley Hypatia xviii, You purblind old hamster-rat.
c. The fur of the hamster.
1895Spectator 23 Nov. 722/1 Lining-furs, such as squirrel, hampster, musk-rat.
▸ hamster ball n. a transparent plastic sphere in which a hamster or other small pet can run (causing the sphere to roll around) to get exercise.
1974Silver City (New Mexico) Daily Press 17 Oct. ii. 7/1 (advt.) Copper Pet Center... *Hamster balls $3.98. 2002C. H. Daly Rats (ed. 2) 31 Don't use hamster balls with your rat.
▸ hamster wheel n. a small treadwheel on which a hamster or other small pet can run to get exercise; also fig., connoting pointless activity.
1949Los Angeles Times 9 Oct. b20/4 (advt.) *Hamster wheels. 1985Times 23 Dec. 13/2 Only the Italians continue to run round the hamster wheel of wage-price rises. 2004L. Rule Ghosts among Us v. 74 The distinctive squeak of Bubbles's hamster wheel. |