flickertail: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Specialist/Regional)Regional/Colloquial
Quick answer
What does “flickertail” mean?
A regional name for the Richardson's ground squirrel (Urocitellus richardsonii), a rodent native to North America, named for the distinctive, jerky motion of its tail when it is alarmed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A regional name for the Richardson's ground squirrel (Urocitellus richardsonii), a rodent native to North America, named for the distinctive, jerky motion of its tail when it is alarmed.
The term can be used as a regional nickname or affectionate term for the animal, and by extension, sometimes for things or people associated with North Dakota, where it is the official state emblem.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is almost exclusively used in American English, specifically in the northern Great Plains region (notably North Dakota). It is virtually unknown in British English, where the animal itself is not native.
Connotations
In its limited usage, it carries a neutral zoological connotation, with potential local/state pride connotations in North Dakota.
Frequency
Extremely rare in American English outside of North Dakota. Effectively zero frequency in British English.
Grammar
How to Use “flickertail” in a Sentence
The [Noun] flickertail [Verb: scurried/disappeared].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flickertail” in a Sentence
adjective
American English
- The Flickertail State is a nickname for North Dakota.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in very specific zoological or regional North American studies contexts.
Everyday
Only in the everyday speech of residents of North Dakota and surrounding areas.
Technical
Zoology, Mammalogy, Ecology of the Great Plains.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flickertail”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flickertail”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flickertail”
- Using it as a general term for any squirrel.
- Assuming it is known outside of a very specific US region.
- Spelling as 'flicker tail' (should be one word or hyphenated: flickertail or flicker-tail).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a specific species of ground squirrel (Urocitellus richardsonii), not the common tree squirrel.
It is primarily used in the US state of North Dakota and surrounding regions of the northern Great Plains.
It is not recommended, as it is a very regional term. 'Richardson's ground squirrel' is the more widely understood name in general and scientific contexts.
It is named for the characteristic rapid, jerking (flickering) motion of its tail, which it makes when it is alarmed or communicating.
A regional name for the Richardson's ground squirrel (Urocitellus richardsonii), a rodent native to North America, named for the distinctive, jerky motion of its tail when it is alarmed.
Flickertail is usually regional/colloquial in register.
Flickertail: in American English it is pronounced /ˈflɪkərˌteɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No established idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the squirrel's tail FLICKERing quickly as it dives into its burrow, leaving just its TAIL visible for a second.
Conceptual Metaphor
[Not applicable for this concrete, specific animal name]
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you most likely to encounter the word 'flickertail'?