from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Gerbil \Ger"bil\ (j[~e]r"b[i^]l), Gerbille \Ger`bille"\
(zh[asl]r`b[-e]l"), n. [F. gerbille. Cf. {Jerboa}.]
1. (Zool.) One of several species of small, jumping, murine
burrowing rodents, of the genus {Gerbillus} and related
genera of the subfamily {Gerbillinae}. They have long soft
pale fur and hind legs adapted for leaping. In their
leaping powers they resemble the jerboa. They inhabit
Africa, India, and Southern Europe.
[1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]
2. (Zool.) A rodent ({Meriones unguiculatus}) of the
subfamily {Gerbillinae} that is commonly kept as a pet; it
is also called the {tamarisk gerbil}, {sand rat} and
{jird}. Its natural habitats are the dry regions of
Northern Africa and Asia.
[PJC]