| gerbil | A name applied to any of 13 genera of small rodents (subfamily Gerbillinae) from Africa and Asia; they resemble jerboas or kangaroo rats and can survive without drinking water. Origin: Mod. L. Gerbillus, fr. Arab. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| gerbille | <zoology> 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. Origin: F. Gerbille. Cf. Jerboa. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| gerbillinae | A subfamily of the muridae consisting of several genera including gerbillus, rhombomys, tatera, meriones, and psammomys. (12 Dec 1998) |