gerbil Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun small Old World burrowing desert rodent with long soft pale fur and hind legs adapted for leaping
    gerbille.

WordNet

Ger"bil, Ger`bille" noun (Also<
  • Gerbil
  • Gerbille
)
Etymology
F. gerbille. Cf. Jerboa.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) One of several species of small, jumping, murine rodents, of the genus Gerbillus. In their leaping powers they resemble the jerboa. They inhabit Africa, India, and Southern Europe.

Webster 1913