n.
Pronunciation: ' k ā -v ē
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural cavies
Etymology: New Latin Cavia, genus name, from obsolete Portuguese çavia (now sauiá ) the spiny rat Makalata ( Echimys ) armata, from Tupi saujá
Date: 1796
: any of several short-tailed rough-haired So. American rodents (family Caviidae) especially : GUINEA PIG