norway rat

English - English

Definition of norway rat in English English dictionary

An alternative term for the brown rat

The common domestic rat (Rattus norvegicus), which is highly destructive and found worldwide, especially in populated areas. Also called brown rat

Related Terms

Norway rats

plural form of Norway rat

Hyphenation

Nor·way rat

Turkish pronunciation

nôrwey rät

Pronunciation

/ˈnôrˌwā ˈrat/ /ˈnɔːrˌweɪ ˈræt/

Etymology

() First used by John Berkenhour in 1769 The name is probably his as well, a mistake for rodents apparently migrating on Danish ships.