Word Study
guinea pig
CIDE DICTIONARY
guinea pig, [Prob. a mistake for Guiana pig.].
- A small Brazilian rodent (
Cavia porcellus orCavia cobaya ), about seven inches in length and usually of a white color, with spots of orange and black. Called alsocavy . It is the domesticated form of the wild cavy, often kept as a pet and used commonly as an experimental animal in laboratory research. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] - Any animal or person used in an experiment; -- also applied to people who are unwillingly or unknowingly subjected by authorities to policies or procedures which might cause bodily or mental harm. [PJC]
- A contemptuous sobriquet. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
THESAURUS
guinea pig
Cape polecat, ape, bar, bear, cavy, chimp, chimpanzee, coon, ferret, foumart, glutton, groundhog, hedgehog, laboratory animal, monk, monkey, mousehound, opossum, patient, polecat, porcupine, possum, prairie dog, quill pig, raccoon, skunk, subject, testee, weasel, whistle-pig, wolverine, woodchuck, zorilROGET THESAURUS
guinea pig
Experiment
N experiment, essay, analysis, screen, trial, tentative method, t=atonnement, verification, probation, experimentum crucis, proof, (demonstration), criterion, diagnostic, test, probe, crucial test, acid test, litmus test, crucible, reagent, check, touchstone, pix, assay, ordeal, ring, litmus paper, curcuma paper, turmeric paper, test tube, analytical instruments, empiricism, rule of thumb, feeler, trial balloon, pilot balloon, messenger balloon, pilot engine, scout, straw to show the wind, speculation, random shot, leap in the dark, analyzer, analyst, assayist, adventurer, experimenter, experimentist, experimentalist, scientist, engineer, technician, subject, experimentee, guinea pig, experimental animal, protocol, experimental method, blind experiment, double-blind experiment, controlled experiment, poll, survey, opinion poll, epidemiological survey, retrospective analysis, retrospective survey, prospective survey, prospective analysis, statistical analysis, literature search, library research, tryout, audition, discovery, measurement, evidence, deduction, induction, abduction, experimental, empirical, probative, probatory, probationary, provisional, analytic, docimastic, tentative, unverified, unproven, speculative, untested, on trial, under examination, on probation, under probation, on one's trial, on approval, check it out, give it a try, see how it goes, Run it up the flagpole and see who salutes.For further exploring for "guinea pig" in Webster Dictionary Online