gerbil
[ jur-buhl ]
/ ˈdʒɜr bəl /
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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 tamarisk gerbil. a jird, Meriones unguiculatus, that is popular as a pet.
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Also called sand rat.
Origin of gerbil
Words nearby gerbil
geranium family, Gerar, Gerard, geratology, gerbera, gerbil, Gerd, gerent, gerenuk, gerfalcon, Gergiev
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
British Dictionary definitions for gerbil
gerbil
gerbille
/ (ˈdʒɜːbɪl) /
noun
any burrowing rodent of the subfamily Gerbillinae, inhabiting hot dry regions of Asia and Africa and having soft pale fur: family Cricetidae
Word Origin for gerbil
C19: from French gerbille, from New Latin gerbillus a little jerboa
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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