guinea pig

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noun

a short-eared, tailless rodent of the genus Cavia, usually white, black, and tawny, commonly regarded as the domesticated form of one of the South American wild species of cavy: often used in scientific experiments or kept as a pet.

Informal. the subject of any sort of experiment: I've volunteered as a guinea pig in several clinical trials.

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Origin of guinea pig

First recorded in 1655–65

Words nearby guinea pig

guinea grass, guinea hen, guinea-hen flower, Guinean, Guinea pepper, guinea pig, guinea worm, Guinevere, Guinness, guipure, guiro

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use guinea pig in a sentence

He has said he believes Al Sharpton is a “race pimp” and a pig.
How James Woods Became Obama’s Biggest Twitter Troll|Asawin Suebsaeng|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Elle magazine shot an editorial in September, one picture revealing a teacup pig sitting pretty by a mini Tyler Alexandra bag.
Handbags: The More You Pay, The Smaller They Shrink|Elizabeth Landers|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We are, essentially, an army of guinea pigs millions strong.
You’re Never ‘Cured’ of an Eating Disorder|Carrie Arnold|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Guinea, with 25 percent, recorded the lowest adult literacy rate in the world at that time.
The Radio Battle to Educate Ebola’s Kids|Abby Haglage|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In Guinea, just 42 percent of the population aged 15-24 can both read and write a “short simple statement” in their everyday life.
The Radio Battle to Educate Ebola’s Kids|Abby Haglage|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Squinty could look out, but the slats were as close together as those in a chicken coop, and the little pig could not get out.
Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum
"I don't know whether I am going to like this or not--this coming to live in town," thought the little pig.
Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum
The pig family did not know when Squinty would be taken away from them, and all they could do was to wait.
Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum
Several times after this the boy and his sisters came to look down into the pig pen.
Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum
But just wishing never made anyone larger or taller, not even a pig, and Squinty stayed the same size.
Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum

British Dictionary definitions for guinea pig

guinea pig

noun

a domesticated cavy, probably descended from Cavia porcellus, commonly kept as a pet and used in scientific experiments

a person or thing used for experimentation

Word Origin for guinea pig

C17: origin uncertain: perhaps from old use of the name Guinea to mean any remote unknown land

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

guinea pig

Origin of guinea pig

Words nearby guinea pig

Words related to guinea pig

How to use guinea pig in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for guinea pig

Word Origin for guinea pig