cavy
Definition
Noun: A short-tailed, rough-haired rodent native to South America. Cavies are small mammals belonging to the family Caviidae. The most well-known example is the domesticated guinea pig.
Usage and Examples
- The cavy is often kept as a pet in many parts of the world.
- In the wild, a cavy typically lives in burrows or rocky areas.
- She studies the social behavior of the wild cavy.
Advanced Usage
- The term is used in zoological and biological contexts to refer to members of the Caviidae family, which includes guinea pigs, maras, and capybaras (the largest rodent, which is also a type of cavy).
- In scientific classification, is the genus that includes the common guinea pig ().
Variants and Related Words
- Caviidae (n): The biological family name for cavies.
- Guinea pig (n): The common name for the domesticated species of cavy, .
- Capybara (n): , the largest living rodent and a member of the cavy family.
Synonyms
- Guinea pig (specifically for the domesticated species)
- South American rodent (descriptive synonym)
Notes on Meaning
The word cavy specifically denotes the rodent family's characteristics (short tail, robust body, rough hair) and South American origin. While "guinea pig" is a synonym, it refers specifically to the domesticated animal, whereas "cavy" can refer to both wild and domestic species within the family.
Noun
-
short-tailed rough-haired South American rodent
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