desert rat

desert rat
1. any of various small rodents, as the kangaroo rat, inhabiting arid regions.
2. Chiefly Western U.S. one who lives in the desert, esp. in order to prospect for gold or other valuable minerals.
3. Informal. a soldier fighting in the N African desert in World War II, esp. a British soldier.
[1905-10, Amer.]

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • desert rat — /dɛzət ˈræt/ (say dezuht rat) noun 1. → jerboa. 2. Military Colloquial a member of the various Allied forces who fought in the desert campaigns in North Africa, 1941–42, especially one who assisted in the defence of Tobruk. {def. 2 named after… …  

  • desert rat — noun a) A jerboa, including species such as Jaculus orientalis and the Lesser Egyptian Jerboa Jaculus jaculus, which inhabit the desert regions of North Africa. b) A British or Australian soldier who served in North Africa with the British 7th… …   Wiktionary

  • desert rat — noun informal a soldier of the 7th British armoured division (with the jerboa as a badge) in the North African desert campaign of 1941–2 …   English new terms dictionary

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