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gerbil

(jʉr′bəl)

noun

any of a subfamily (Gerbillinae, family Cricetidae) of burrowing rodents, with long hind legs and hairy tail, native to Africa and Asia: often kept as a pet

Origin: Fr gerbille < ModL gerbillus < gerbo, jerboa

See gerbil in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of various small, mouselike rodents of the genus Gerbillus and related genera of arid regions of Africa and Asia Minor, having long hind legs and a long tail.
The Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus), having large dark eyes and a long furry tail and often kept as a pet.

Origin:

Origin: French gerbille

Origin: , from New Latin Gerbillus, genus name

Origin: , from

Origin: diminutive of gerbō, jerboa

Origin: , variant of Medieval Latin jerbōa; see jerboa

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