Dictionary entry

Gerbil

Webster's Dictionary 1913

{ Ger″bil (jẽr″bĭl), ‖Ger′bille″ (zhā̍r′bē̍l″), } n. [F. gerbille. Cf. Jerboa.] (Zoöl.) One of several species of small, jumping, murine rodents, of the genus Gerbillus. In their leaping powers they resemble the jerboa. They inhabit Africa, India, and Southern Europe.