Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HAM'STER, n. [G. hamster; Russ. chomiak.]

A species of rat, the Mus ericetus, or German marmot. This rat is of the size of the water rat, but is of a browner color, and its belly and legs of a dirty yellow. It is remarkable for two bags, like those of a baboon, on each side of the jaw, under the skin, in which it conveys grain, peas and acorns to its winter residence. Encyc. Goldsmith.