cavie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowInformal, Regional (chiefly Scottish)
Quick answer
What does “cavie” mean?
A guinea pig (small rodent, often kept as a pet or used in scientific research).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A guinea pig (small rodent, often kept as a pet or used in scientific research).
Informal or regional term for a guinea pig; sometimes used to refer to a person serving as a test subject in an experiment or trial.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is primarily found in Scottish English. It is virtually unknown in general American English, where 'guinea pig' is the universal term.
Connotations
In its regional use, it carries a neutral, descriptive connotation for the animal. If extended to people, it can have the same slightly informal connotation as 'guinea pig'.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary British English outside specific Scottish contexts. Not used in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “cavie” in a Sentence
keep a [cavie]the [cavie] squeakedVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, potentially in historical or dialectal studies.
Everyday
Only in specific regional dialects (e.g., Scotland) when referring to the pet.
Technical
Not used; the scientific term is 'cavy' or the species name.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cavie”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cavie”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cavie”
- Spelling it as 'cavy' (which is the standard form) or 'cavey'.
- Using it in international contexts where it will not be understood.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a regional, chiefly Scottish, variant for the same animal.
No, it is an informal, dialectal word. Use 'guinea pig' or the scientific term 'cavy'.
No, it has very low frequency and is geographically restricted.
Its core meaning is the rodent. By metaphorical extension, like 'guinea pig', it can refer to a human test subject.
A guinea pig (small rodent, often kept as a pet or used in scientific research).
Cavie: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkeɪvi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkeɪvi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “serve as a cavie (for something)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'cavie' living in a 'cave' (hutch) like a little cave-dwelling pet.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SMALL, TESTABLE ENTITY IS A CAVIE (from the 'human guinea pig' extension).
Practice
Quiz
'Cavie' is best described as: