zizelhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zizel_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezizel, n.
Revised 2018

zizelnoun

Now rare.
  1. 1775–
    Any of several Eurasian ground squirrels (genus Spermophilus), esp. the European souslik, S. citellus.
    1. [1607
      In Germany they cal it Pile and Zisel, and of this Germaine word was the Latine Citellus_feigned.
      E. Topsell, Historie of Foure-footed Beastes 532]
    2. 1775–6
      The zisel [French zisel] is smaller than the hamster.
      W. Kenrick et al., translation of Comte de Buffon, Natural History of Animals, Vegetables, & Minerals vol. IV. 88
    3. 1780
      The Zisel, or Earless Marmot.
      W. Smellie, translation of Comte de Buffon, Natural History General & Particular vol. VIII. 229
    4. 1833
      The zizel or souslic marmot.
      Penny Cyclopaedia vol. I. 441/2
    5. 1893
      Other Southern districts [were visited] by zisels and worms.
      Edinburgh Review January 20
    6. 1941
      T [richostrongylus] colubriformis, a very common parasite of the sheep, has also been reported from a long series of other hosts, as goat, cattle and other ruminants, horse, squirrel, hare, rabbit, zizel, several kinds of apes and monkeys, and man.
      Journal of Parasitology vol. 27 363

zizel, n. was revised in June 2018.

zizel, n. was last modified in June 2025.