gymnure

English

Bornean short-tailed gymnure (Hylomys dorsalis)

Etymology

From New Latin Gymnura, former genus name, from Ancient Greek γυμνός (gumnós, “naked”) + οὐρά (ourá, “tail”).

Noun

gymnure (plural gymnures)

1. A carnivorous mammal, subfamily Galericinae, related to the hedgehogs and resembling a large rat, which inhabits various parts of south-east Asia.
   • 2022, Thomas Halliday, Otherworlds, Penguin, published 2023, page 50:

     Unlike hedgehogs, all gymnures produce a strong ammoniac smell reminiscent of rotten garlic, the better to establish territories and to deter enemies when frightened.

Synonyms

• hairy hedgehog
• moonrat

Translations

carnivorous mammal

• Bulgarian: плъхоподобен таралеж m (plǎhopodoben taralež)
• Finnish: rottasiili
• Polish: gołyszek m
• Swedish: råttigelkott c