Guinea pig
Guin"ea pig`
[Prob. a mistake for Guiana pig.] 1. (Zol.) A small Brazilian rodent (Cavia porcellus or Cavia cobaya), about seven inches in length and usually of a white color, with spots of orange and black. Called also cavy. It is the domesticated form of the wild cavy, often kept as a pet and used commonly as an experimental animal in laboratory research.[Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]
2. Hence,
[figuratively]: Any animal or person used in an experiment; -- also applied to people who are unwillingly or unknowingly subjected by authorities to policies or procedures which might cause bodily or mental harm.
[PJC]
3. A contemptuous sobriquet.
[Obs.]
Smollett
[Webster 1913 Suppl.
+PJC]
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Fri 15th January 2021