Maulwurf

German

Etymology

From a word with the meaning of hill (compare dialectal Mugel (“hillock”)), not related with Maul (“mouth”). More at mouldwarp.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈmaʊ̯lˌvʊʁf/
  • (file)
  • (Austria)
    (file)
  • Hyphenation: Maul‧wurf

Noun

Maulwurf m (strong, genitive Maulwurfes or Maulwurfs, plural Maulwürfe, feminine Maulwürfin)

  1. mole (small, burrowing insectivore of the family Talpidae)
  2. (figurative) mole (internal spy)
    Synonyms: U-Boot, Spitzel

Declension
Declension of Maulwurf [masculine, strong]
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein der Maulwurf die Maulwürfe
genitive eines des Maulwurfes, Maulwurfs der Maulwürfe
dative einem dem Maulwurf, Maulwurfe1 den Maulwürfen
accusative einen den Maulwurf die Maulwürfe

1Now uncommon, see notes.

Further reading
  • “Maulwurf” in Duden online
  • “Maulwurf” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
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