Murmeltier

alpine marmot

noun MOOR-mel-teer Rare

Origin: possibly from Romansh, related to Latin mus montis 'mountain mouse'

Usage Note

Murmeltier (Marmota marmota) hibernates for up to eight months and lives in colonies in alpine meadows. The phrase schlafen wie ein Murmeltier ('sleep like a marmot') means to sleep very deeply. Plural: die Murmeltiere.

Examples

"Er schlief die ganze Nacht durch wie ein Murmeltier."

Natural Translation

He slept right through the night like a marmot.

Literal Translation

He slept the whole night through like a marmot.

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