desert rat
noun
any of various small rodents, as the kangaroo rat, inhabiting arid regions.
Chiefly Western U.S.
one who lives in the desert, especially in order to prospect for gold or other valuable minerals.
Informal.
a soldier fighting in the N African desert in World War II, especially a British soldier.
Origin of desert rat
An Americanism dating back to 1905–10
Words nearby desert rat
desert island,
desert locust,
desert lynx,
desert oak,
desert pea,
desert rat,
desert rock,
desert soil,
desert varnish,
deserted,
deserticolous
British Dictionary definitions for desert rat
desert rat
noun
a jerboa, Jaculus orientalis, inhabiting the deserts of N Africa
British informal
a soldier who served in North Africa with the British 7th Armoured Division in 1941–42