golden mole: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialized Scientific / Zoological. Occasionally used in conservation or nature writing.
Quick answer
What does “golden mole” mean?
A small, fossorial insectivorous mammal native to southern Africa, belonging to the family Chrysochloridae.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, fossorial insectivorous mammal native to southern Africa, belonging to the family Chrysochloridae.
A term for any species within the family Chrysochloridae, characterized by iridescent fur, reduced eyes, and powerful forelimbs for digging. Can be used metaphorically to denote something rare, elusive, or specialized.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No lexical differences. The term is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of biological specificity and regional fauna.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse. Slightly higher frequency in academic/zoological texts in the UK due to historical colonial links to southern Africa.
Grammar
How to Use “golden mole” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] golden mole [VERB] in [LOCATION].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “golden mole” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The golden-mole research project was funded.
- A golden-mole burrow is complex.
American English
- The golden-mole research project was funded.
- A golden-mole burrow is complex.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in zoology, biology, and conservation science papers. e.g., 'The phylogeny of the golden mole family was reassessed.'
Everyday
Virtually never used unless discussing southern African wildlife.
Technical
Specific term in mammalogy and taxonomy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “golden mole”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “golden mole”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “golden mole”
- Capitalizing it as a proper name (unless part of a species name, e.g., Grant's Golden Mole).
- Confusing it with the European mole or the Australian marsupial mole.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not. Golden moles (Chrysochloridae) belong to a different mammalian order (Afrosoricida) than true moles (Talpidae), which are in the order Eulipotyphla. They are an example of convergent evolution.
Golden moles are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, with the greatest diversity found in South Africa.
They have greatly reduced eyes covered by skin and fur, and are likely only capable of detecting light and dark. They rely on hearing and vibration sensing to navigate and hunt.
They are important components of their ecosystems, aerating soil and controlling insect populations. They are also significant for studies of evolution, biogeography, and adaptation in mammals.
A small, fossorial insectivorous mammal native to southern Africa, belonging to the family Chrysochloridae.
Golden mole is usually specialized scientific / zoological. occasionally used in conservation or nature writing. in register.
Golden mole: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡəʊl.dən məʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡoʊl.dən moʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'GOLDEN treasure is hidden underground, and this MOLE digs for it in Africa.'
Conceptual Metaphor
ELUSIVE/SPECIALIZED ENTITY IS A GOLDEN MOLE (e.g., 'Finding that data source was like spotting a golden mole').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary reason for the name 'golden' mole?