lemming

lem·ming  (lmng)

n.

Any of various small, thickset rodents, especially of the genus Lemmus, inhabiting northern regions and known for periodic mass migrations that sometimes end in drowning.

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[Norwegian, from Old Norse læmingi, læmingr.]

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lemming [ˈlɛmɪŋ]

n

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any of various volelike rodents of the genus Lemmus and related genera, of northern and arctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America: family Cricetidae. The Scandinavian variety, Lemmus lemmus, migrates periodically when its population reaches a peak

2. a member of any large group following an unthinking course towards mass destruction

[from Norwegian; related to Latin latrāre to bark]

lemming-like  adj

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

lemming - any of various short-tailed furry-footed rodents of circumpolar distribution gnawer, rodent - relatively small placental mammals having a single pair of constantly growing incisor teeth specialized for gnawing Cricetidae, family Cricetidae - mostly small New World rodents including New World mice and lemmings and voles and hamsters European lemming, Lemmus lemmus - notable for mass migrations even into the sea where many drown brown lemming, Lemmus trimucronatus - of northwestern Canada and Alaska gray lemming, grey lemming, red-backed lemming - Old World lemming pied lemming - North American lemming having a white winter coat and some claws much enlarged southern bog lemming, Synaptomys cooperi - of low bogs and meadows of northeastern and central United States and southern Canada northern bog lemming, Synaptomys borealis - of wet alpine and subalpine meadows of Canada and Alaska

Translations

lemming [ˈlemɪŋ] N → lem(m)ing m
they were jumping over the side of the ship like lemmings → se lanzaban por la borda uno tras otro

lemming [ˈlɛmɪŋ] n (= animal) → lemming m
like lemmings (pejorative) → comme des moutons

lemming

n → Lemming m

lemming [ˈlɛmɪŋ] n → lemming m inv