cavy
[key-vee]
noun, plural ca·vies.
any of several short-tailed or tailless South American rodents of the family Caviidae, as the guinea pig, capybara, or agouti.
Origin of cavy
1790–1800; < New Latin Cavia name of the genus < Carib (Galibi) cabiai
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for cavy
Historical Examples of cavy
The tools used are made of the incisor teeth of the paca and cavy.
The Western WorldW.H.G. Kingston
This is one of the most common troubles that a Cavy raiser has to contend with.
The Raising and Care of Guinea PigsA. C. Smith
The nest was of dry grass and lined with the fur of the cavy.
Argentine Ornithology, Volume I (of 2)P. L. Sclater
A few guanaco and ostriches, a sprinkling of cavy, and many pampa foxes seemed to eke out an existence there.
Through the Heart of PatagoniaH. Hesketh Prichard
The residents of Colohuapi informed me that the place formed the southern limit of the distribution of the cavy.
Through the Heart of PatagoniaH. Hesketh Prichard
cavy
noun plural -vies
Word Origin for cavy
C18: from New Latin Cavia, from Galibi cabiai
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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