rodent; gnawing animal
Biological term for animals of the order Rodentia. The gloss 'gnawing animal' is a literal description of the kanji meaning.
Mice and squirrels are classified as rodents.
Rodents' teeth continue to grow throughout their lives.
Common word for 'mouse' or 'rat'; 齧歯動物 is the formal biological term for the entire order.
Synonymous term also meaning 'rodents'; 齧歯動物 is slightly more formal and less common in everyday speech.
Standard kanji spelling for 'rodent' in biological contexts.
Mixed kanji-kana spelling; the first character is often written in kana because 齧 is not a jōyō kanji.
Compound of 齧 (げっ, 'gnaw'), 歯 (し, 'tooth'), and 動物 (どうぶつ, 'animal'). The reading げっ for 齧 is irregular and likely derived from the kanji's on'yomi.