Mousehole
/ˈmaʊs.hoʊl/noun
A hole or small opening used by a mouse, or a very small opening in general.
Did you know?“Mouse” and “hole” are both ancient Germanic words, and the compound is a perfectly literal Old English-style formation rather than a later poetic invention.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mūs-
“mouse”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*mūs
“mouse”
Old English
OE
mūs
“mouse”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kel-
“to hide, cover”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*hulą
“hollow, hole”
Old English
OE
hol
“hole, cavity”
Modern English
English
mousehole
“a hole made for or by a mouse”