rodent

Etymology

From Latin rōdēns, rōdēnt- (“gnawer; one who gnaws”), present participle of rōdō (“I gnaw”).

noun

1. A mammal of the order Rodentia, characterized by long incisors that grow continuously and are worn down by gnawing.
   Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola. A recent study explored the ecological variables that may contribute to bats’ propensity to harbor such zoonotic diseases by comparing them with another order of common reservoir hosts: rodents. 2013 May-June, Katie L. Burke, “In the News”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3, page 193
2. (dated, bulletin board system slang, leetspeak, derogatory) A person lacking in maturity, social skills, technical competence or intelligence; lamer.

adj

1. Gnawing; biting; corroding; applied to a destructive variety of cancer or ulcer.