Word Study
cavy
CIDE DICTIONARY
cavy, n. [NL. cavia, fr. Brazilian cabiai: cf. F. cabiai.].
A rodent of the genera Cavia and Dolichotis , as the guinea pig (Cavia cobaya ). Cavies are natives of South America. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
cavy, n. (pl. -ies) any small rodent of the family Caviidae, native to S. America and having a sturdy body and vestigial tail, including guinea pigs.
Etymology
mod.L cavia f. Galibi cabiai
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