See Also: shrew(medicine)
shrew(1)(dictionary)
shrew(2)(dictionary)
shrew(dictionary)
shrew(encyclopedia)
shrew(dictionary)
water shrew(medicine)
Taming of the Shrew, The(dictionary)

shrew(1) (iou)



shrew noun1.

Any of numerous small mammals of the insectivore family Soricidae (esp. of the genera Sorex and Crocidura), superficially resembling mice but having a long sharp snout, small eyes, and carnivorous habits, formerly believed to be injurious to humans. OE.
With specifying word: any of various mammals of other insectivore families or other orders that resemble shrews. M19.
elephant shrew, otter shrew, tree shrew, etc.
Comb.: shrew-ash (obsolete exc. dial.) an ash tree whose branches were formerly believed to cure shrew-stroke; shrew-hedgehog a moon rat, Hylomys sinensis, of forests in SE Asia; shrew-mole any of various moles found in eastern Asia and N. America; shrew-run (obsolete exc. dial.) = shrew-struck below; shrew-stroke (obsolete exc. dial.) paralysis formerly believed to result from being run across by a shrew; shrew-struck (obsolete exc. dial.) affected with shrew-stroke; shrew-tenrec any of various tenrecs of the genus Microgale.
shrewlike adjective resembling (that of) a shrew L19.