Synonyms for guinea-pig


Grammar : Noun

Top 10 synonyms for guinea-pig Other synonyms for the word guinea-pig

Définition of guinea-pig

Origin :
  • 1660s, native to South America and perhaps so called either because it was first brought back to Britain aboard Guinea-men, ships that plied the triangle trade between England, Guinea, and South America [Barnhart, Klein]; or from confusion of Guinea (q.v.) with the South American region of Guyana (but OED is against this). In the extended sense of "one subjected to an experiment" it is first recorded 1920, because they were commonly used in vivisection experiments.
  • As in guinea pig : noun experimental subject
Example sentences :
  • Well, my opinion of him is that he is merely a guinea-pig—you know what that is?
  • Extract from : « A Woman Intervenes » by Robert Barr
  • This is a quite peculiar group, characteristic for the blood of the guinea-pig.
  • Extract from : « Histology of the Blood » by Paul Ehrlich
  • The capybara is classed with the Cavidae or guinea-pig tribe.
  • Extract from : « The Western World » by W.H.G. Kingston
  • You will have to take the guinea-pig box out of your room under the eaves.
  • Extract from : « True to His Home » by Hezekiah Butterworth
  • The guinea-pig is not a pig, nor does it come from Guinea (see p. 51).
  • Extract from : « The Romance of Words (4th ed.) » by Ernest Weekley
  • The Guinea-pig is not a pig, and there are no Guinea-pigs in Guinea.
  • Extract from : « St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, Vol. 5, July 1878, No. 9 » by Various
  • A guinea-pig inoculated in the eye 26th May was seized with rabies 10th September.
  • Extract from : « Experiments on Animals » by Stephen Paget
  • Thus the guinea-pig, and still more the rat, are extremely sensitive.
  • Extract from : « Experiments on Animals » by Stephen Paget
  • Perhaps had Madame pleased a pineapple or a guinea-pig might have been forthcoming.
  • Extract from : « On the Lightship » by Herman Knickerbocker Viel
  • The guinea-pig, when full-grown, is not much bigger than a large rat.
  • Extract from : « The Nursery, April 1881, Vol. XXIX » by Various

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