blesmol, noun
/ˈblesmɔl/
- Forms:
- Formerly also bleesmol, bles-moll.
- Plurals:
- blesmolle /ˈblesmɔlə/.
- Origin:
- South African DutchShow more South African Dutch, bles blaze + mol mole.
Any of several species of molerat of the Bathyergidae, characterized by white markings on the face and head, especially a. the Cape molerat (see molerat sense 2), Georychus capensis; and b. the sand-mole, Bathyergus suillus. In both senses also called bles-mole. Cf. golden mole.
[1776 F. Masson in Phil. Trans. of Royal Soc. LXVI. 305There is another species of the animal, called by the Dutch Bles-moll, which inhabits the hard ground; but seldom exceeds the size of the common European mole.]
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