cavy
noun
ca·vy ˈkā-vē 
plural cavies
: any of several short-tailed rough-haired South American rodents (family Caviidae)
especially : guinea pig
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Summer may just be starting to simmer down, but PetSmart is already prepping cavy owners for All Hallows Eve with nine guinea pig costumes fitting for different personalities. 
Selena Barrientos, House Beautiful, 23 Aug. 2019 This festival features everything great about animal fiber and will feature goats, sheep, rabbits and vendors, as well as a cavy show, or a presentation of small rodents. Anchorage Daily News, 17 July 2019 For now, the zoo's all-male group will remain the only cavies onsite. Jennifer Larino, NOLA.com, 22 May 2018 By comparison, the cavy is the world's fourth largest rodent and can weigh up to 20 pounds. Jennifer Larino, NOLA.com, 22 May 2018 Temperate Forest: To the east is the 25-foot-high treehouse that will be accessible to the handicapped and an exhibit on coatis (a member of the raccoon family) and Patagonian cavies (a rodent that resembles a cross between a rabbit and a deer). Roger Showley, sandiegouniontribune.com, 12 Jan. 2018 Other animal shows and displays feature dogs and miniature horses, Sept. 1-4; Animals of the World, Sept. 7-13; pygmy goats, Sept. 21-24; and rabbits and cavies, Sept. 10-14. Madeline Mckenzie, The Seattle Times, 30 Aug. 2017 See More
Selena Barrientos, House Beautiful, 23 Aug. 2019 This festival features everything great about animal fiber and will feature goats, sheep, rabbits and vendors, as well as a cavy show, or a presentation of small rodents. Anchorage Daily News, 17 July 2019 For now, the zoo's all-male group will remain the only cavies onsite. Jennifer Larino, NOLA.com, 22 May 2018 By comparison, the cavy is the world's fourth largest rodent and can weigh up to 20 pounds. Jennifer Larino, NOLA.com, 22 May 2018 Temperate Forest: To the east is the 25-foot-high treehouse that will be accessible to the handicapped and an exhibit on coatis (a member of the raccoon family) and Patagonian cavies (a rodent that resembles a cross between a rabbit and a deer). Roger Showley, sandiegouniontribune.com, 12 Jan. 2018 Other animal shows and displays feature dogs and miniature horses, Sept. 1-4; Animals of the World, Sept. 7-13; pygmy goats, Sept. 21-24; and rabbits and cavies, Sept. 10-14. Madeline Mckenzie, The Seattle Times, 30 Aug. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin Cavia, genus name, from obsolete Portuguese çavia (now sauiá) the spiny rat Makalata (Echimys) armata, from Tupi saujá
First Known Use
1796, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
cavy
noun
ca·vy ˈkā-vē
plural cavies
: any of several short-tailed South American rodents (family Caviidae)
especially : guinea pig