jerboa
- noun
- /dʒərˈboʊə/
:
jerboá
- The scientist studied the jerboa to learn more about how it survives in arid environments.
Examples
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When visiting the zoo, I was amazed to see a jerboa hopping around in its enclosure.
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But she's a one-of-a-kind albino jerboa.
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Duchess is an albino jerboa and She, too, is one of a kind.
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Jerboa.
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-What's a jerboa?
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The jerboa is known for its long hind legs, allowing it to jump great distances in the desert.
Synonyms
A small rodent active at night that jumps with long hind legs in Asian and North African deserts
Compounds
- Australian
A small Australian animal that carries its babies in a pouch with long back legs and a brush-like tail
- Australian
A small Australian animal with a pouch and a long tail that hops at night
- Indian
A small rodent active at night that jumps with long hind legs in Asian and North African deserts
Surface Forms
Etymology
Jerboa comes from the Arabic word jarbū', which meant 'desert mouse', and the name came into English through French. So jerboa now names a small, long-legged desert rodent that jumps like a tiny 'desert mouse', much like the more familiar gerbil.
