Word Study
jerboa
CIDE DICTIONARY
jerboa, n. [Ar. yarb.].
Any small jumping rodent of the genus Dipus , esp. Dipus Ægyptius , which is common in Egypt and the adjacent countries. The jerboas have very long hind legs and a long tail. [1913 Webster]
" The name is also applied to other small jumping rodents, as the Pedetes Caffer , of the Cape of Good Hope." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
jerboa, n. any small desert rodent of the family Dipodidae with long hind legs and the ability to make large jumps.
Etymology
mod.L f. Arab. yarbu' flesh of loins, jerboa
ROGET THESAURUS
jerboa
Leap
N leap, jump, hop, spring, bound, vault, saltation, ance, caper, curvet, caracole, gambade, gambado, capriole, demivolt, buck, buck jump, hop skip and jump, falcade, kangaroo, jerboa, chamois, goat, frog, grasshopper, flea, buckjumper, wallaby, leaping, saltatory, frisky, on the light fantastic toe, di salto in salto.For further exploring for "jerboa" in Webster Dictionary Online
