desert rat

noun
1.
any of various small rodents, as the kangaroo rat, inhabiting arid regions.
2.
Chiefly Western U.S. one who lives in the desert, especially in order to prospect for gold or other valuable minerals.
3.
Informal. a soldier fighting in the N African desert in World War II, especially a British soldier.
Origin:
1905–10, Americanism

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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World English Dictionary
desert rat
 
—n
1.  a jerboa, Jaculus orientalis, inhabiting the deserts of N Africa
2.  informal (Brit) a soldier who served in North Africa with the British 7th Armoured Division in 1941--42

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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00:10
Desert rat is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Example sentences
Besides, he had taken a liking to the eccentric desert rat.
The trip was a great reminder of why once you're a desert rat, you're always a desert rat.
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