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hamster

noun

any of several short-tailed, stout-bodied, burrowing rodents, as Cricetus cricetus, of Europe and Asia, having large cheek pouches.

noun

any Eurasian burrowing rodent of the tribe Cricetini, such as Mesocricetus auratus (golden hamster), having a stocky body, short tail, and cheek pouches: family Cricetidae. They are popular pets

c.1600, from German Hamster, from Middle High German hamastra “hamster,” probably from Old Church Slavonic chomestoru “hamster” (the animal is native to southeastern Europe), perhaps a blend of Russian chomiak and Lithuanian staras, both meaning “hamster.” The older English name for it was German rat.