Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1600-1700
Origin: Guinea, probably by mistake for Guiana, earlier name of Guyana

guinea pig

 noun
     
Related topics: Animals
guinea pig [countable]
1HBA a small furry animal with short ears and no tail, which is often kept as a pet
2 someone who is used in a scientific test to see how successful or safe a new product, system etc is
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
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