Main Entry: ca·vy

Pronunciation: \ˈkā-vē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): 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 South American rodents (family Caviidae); especially : guinea pig