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

“I found that you can get a gerbil for four dollars and 99 cents,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 18, 2023

For my first experiment, I had the A.I. write a villanelle, a rather difficult poetic form, about the death of a pet gerbil.

From Slate • Dec. 13, 2022

For me, it was about getting off the gerbil wheel of thoughts constantly spinning in my mind that made it hard to focus.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 21, 2022

But would a win mean anyone could take their trained gerbil or rabbit to the weekly shop?

From BBC • May 27, 2022

And we had a substitute who knew as much about running a gym class as a gerbil would.

From "Orbiting Jupiter" by Gary D. Schmidt