Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Lemming
Lem′ming
(lĕm′mĭng)
, Noun.
[Nor.
lemming
, lemende
; cf. Sw. lemel
, Lapp. lummik
.] (Zool.)
Any one of several species of small arctic rodents of the genera
Myodes
and Cuniculus
, resembling the meadow mice in form. They are found in both hemispheres. ☞ The common Northern European lemming (
Myodes lemmus
) is remarkable for making occasional devastating migrations in enormous numbers from the mountains into the lowlands. Webster 1828 Edition
Lemming
LEM'MING
,Definition 2024
Lemming
lemming
lemming
English
Noun
lemming (plural lemmings)
- A small Arctic and Subarctic rodent from any of six genera of similar rodents.
- (figuratively) Any member of a group given to conformity or groupthink, especially a group poised to follow a leader off a cliff.
Derived terms
- bog lemmings, Synaptomys spp.
- collared lemmings, Dicrostonyx spp.
- steppe lemming, Lagurus lagurus
- true lemmings, Lemmus spp.
- wood lemming, Myopus schisticolor
- yellow steppe lemmings, Eolagurus spp.
Translations
rodent
|
member of a group given to conformity or groupthink
|