1. a small, stocky rodent with a rounded body, short legs, and no tail, native to South America; commonly kept as a pet.
Usage: also called guinea pig; plural: cavies

Examples

• She adopted a cavy from the animal shelter last month.
• The children watched the cavy nibble on lettuce and carrots.
• Cavies are social animals and do well when kept in pairs.
• My pet cavy makes cute squeaking sounds when it's hungry.
• The cavy is a popular choice for first-time pet owners because it is gentle and easy to care for.