Jerboa

//dʒɜː(ɹ)ˈbəʊ.ə// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Any of a number of species comprising the family Dipodidae, native to the deserts of Asia and northern Africa, being a small, jumping rodent with a long tufted tail, very small forefeet and very long hind legs.

    "The Arabs, who are forbidden all other kinds of mice, esteem these the greatest delicacies: as those people often are disappointed in digging after them, they have this proverb, "To buy a hole instead of a jerboa.""

  2. 2
    mouselike jumping rodent wordnet

Etymology

From Arabic جَرْبُوع (jarbūʕ) or يَرْبُوع (yarbūʕ). Doublet of gerbil.

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