gerbil

American  

[jur-buhl] / ˈdʒɜr bəl /

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.

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gerbil British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of gerbil

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

Explanation

A gerbil is a small, mouse-like animal that's often kept as a pet. If you're thinking about adopting a gerbil, you might consider getting two — they're very sociable! Gerbil comes from the Latin genus Gerbillus and its Arabic source, yarbu. There are many different kinds of gerbils, but the Mongolian species is most commonly sold in pet stores. Native to hot climates, these burrowing rodents require bedding to tunnel through and shred, as well as a warm, dry environment to thrive. In the wild, gerbils scamper through grasslands and deserts in Asia and Africa, tunneling underground to evade predators.

Example Sentences

“If I had 6p or a euro since Flaubert’s Parrot for every time someone suggested Pushkin’s Button or Tolstoy’s Gerbil … ” Barnes smiles patiently.

From The Guardian • Oct. 26, 2019

Mr Monaghan was cleared of killing Kevin "Gerbil" Carroll after a judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to convict him.

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2017

One third of my old Brit pals call me Gerbil, another third calls me Pixie, and a third, gayer group goes for alliteration with Dottie Doonan.

From Slate • Jun. 2, 2014

By John Strege Don Zimmer, who died on Wednesday at 83, was a baseball lifer and a bona fide character, as the nicknames he had, Popeye and the Gerbil, would imply.

From Golf Digest • Oct. 16, 2013