musaraña

Spanish

Etymology

From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Latin mūs arāneus (literally “spider mouse”) (compare French musaraigne) because the bite of some shrews can be venomous. Ending influenced by Spanish araña (“spider”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /musaˈɾaɲa/ [mu.saˈɾa.ɲa]

Noun

musaraña f (plural musarañas)

1. shrew
2. (by extension) vermin; small animal

Synonyms

• musgaño

Further reading

• Template:R:DRAE 2001