English Explanatory Dictionary

lemming

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A small arctic and subarctic rodent of the tribes Lemmini, Dicrostonychini and Lagurini.
  2. Any member of a group given to conformity or groupthink, especially a group poised to follow a leader off a cliff.

Pronunciation

/lɛm.ɪŋ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-lemming.wav

Word forms

lemming lemmings

Etymology

From Danish and Norwegian lemming, from Old Norse lómundr, læmingi, læmingr (“lemming”), perhaps from Sami luomek. Sense 2 derives from a longstanding myth that they exhibit so much herd mentality that populations jump off cliffs to their deaths together.

Synonyms

sable mouse

Derived words

bog lemming collared lemming Eurolemming lemmingism lemminglike northern bog lemming Norway lemming steppe lemming true lemming wood lemming yellow steppe lemming
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