cavy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowScientific, Zoological
Quick answer
What does “cavy” mean?
A short-tailed South American rodent, particularly of the genus Cavia, which includes the domestic guinea pig.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A short-tailed South American rodent, particularly of the genus Cavia, which includes the domestic guinea pig.
Any rodent belonging to the family Caviidae, native to South America, including guinea pigs, maras, and capybaras. The term is sometimes used in zoological contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral, scientific. No regional connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both regions, confined to scientific/zoological texts.
Grammar
How to Use “cavy” in a Sentence
The [adjective] cavy is native to...Cavies are classified as...The cavy (Cavia porcellus) is...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cavy” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cavy population was surveyed.
- Cavy anatomy is distinct.
American English
- The cavy population was surveyed.
- Cavy anatomy is distinct.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in biological and zoological papers discussing rodent taxonomy or South American fauna.
Everyday
Virtually never used. 'Guinea pig' is the common term.
Technical
Used as a precise taxonomic term for members of the family Caviidae.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cavy”
- Mispronouncing it as /ˈkævi/ (like 'cat').
- Using 'cavy' in everyday talk instead of 'guinea pig'.
- Confusing it with 'cravey' or 'navy'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the domestic guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) is a species of cavy. 'Cavy' is the broader zoological term for the genus and family.
It derives from the obsolete French 'cavie', from Portuguese 'çavia' (now 'savia'), from Tupi (a South American indigenous language) 'saujá'.
No, it is a low-frequency scientific term. The average English speaker will use and hear 'guinea pig'.
No, 'cavy' is exclusively a noun (and can function attributively as an adjective, e.g., 'cavy species'). It has no verb forms.
A short-tailed South American rodent, particularly of the genus Cavia, which includes the domestic guinea pig.
Cavy is usually scientific, zoological in register.
Cavy: 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
- “No common idioms use 'cavy'. The idiom 'guinea pig' (meaning test subject) relates to the domestic species.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CAVY' as 'CAVe rodentY' – a rodent you might find in South American landscapes.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable; the term is a literal zoological classification.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common everyday term for the domestic cavy?