English

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Etymology

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Borrowed from Cree ocêk, otchek (fisher), borrowed from Ojibwe ojiig (fisher, marten), or a similar term in a related Algonquian language, subsequently reapplied to the groundhog.

An earlier form of this word, woodshock, still sometimes designates the marten. Also a doublet of wejack.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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woodchuck (plural woodchucks)

  1. (Northern US) A rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots, Marmota monax.
    Synonyms: groundhog, whistle pig, land-beaver, moonack

Translations

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Further reading

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