The Collaborative International Dictionary
Neotoma cinerea
packrat \packrat\, pack rat \pack rat\n.
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Any of several bushy-tailed rodents of the genus Neotoma of western North America, especially Neotoma cinerea, which hoard food and other objects in their nests.
Syn: trade rat, bushytail woodrat, Neotoma cinerea.
A person who habitually saves items, even those unlikely to be useful. [Informal]