gerbil

[ jur-buhl ]

noun
  1. 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.

  2. Also called tamarisk gerbil. a jird, Meriones unguiculatus, that is popular as a pet.

Origin of gerbil

1
1840–50; <French gerbille<New Latin gerbillus, diminutive of gerbojerboa

Words Nearby gerbil

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How to use gerbil in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gerbil

gerbil

gerbille

/ (ˈdʒɜːbɪl) /


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

Origin of gerbil

1
C19: from French gerbille, from New Latin gerbillus a little jerboa

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