desert rat en · NOUN
Meanings
- One of various mouselike rodents species inhabiting deserts: ▸ A gerbil (subfamily Gerbillinae) of the deserts of Africa and Asia
- One of various mouselike rodents species inhabiting deserts: ▸ A kangaroo rat (genus Dipodomys) from North America
- One of various mouselike rodents species inhabiting deserts: ▸ A Natal multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis) from Africa
- One of various mouselike rodents species inhabiting deserts: ▸ A jerboa, including those of species Jaculus orientalis and Jaculus jaculus (lesser Egyptian jerboa), which inhabit the desert regions of North Africa.
- (historical, slang) A British or Australian soldier who served in North Africa with the British 7th Armoured Division in 1941-42.
- (historical, slang) A wandering prospector.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| desert rats | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Translations (6)
tr Arap tavşanı (jerboa) · fi aavikkorotta (jerboa) · fi aavikkojerbo (jerboa) · it gundi (one of various mouselike desert dwellers) · fi aavikkorotta (British or Australian soldier of 7th Armoured Division) · it ratto del deserto (one of various mouselike desert dwellers)