gerbil

[ jur-buhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of numerous small burrowing rodents of the genus Gerbillus and related genera, of Asia, Africa, and southern Russia, having long hind legs used for jumping.
Also called tam·a·risk ger·bil [tam, -, uh, -risk , jur, -b, uh, l]. a jird, Meriones unguiculatus, that is popular as a pet.

gerbil

/ ˈdʒɜːbɪl /

any burrowing rodent of the subfamily Gerbillinae, inhabiting hot dry regions of Asia and Africa and having soft pale fur: family Cricetidae

Origin of gerbil¹

1840–50; < French gerbille < New Latin gerbillus, diminutive of gerbo jerboa

Origin of gerbil¹

C19: from French gerbille, from New Latin gerbillus a little jerboa

In Central Asia, it appears to hang around in gerbils, while in North America, prairie dogs seem to play a key role.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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