n. A mammal, such as a rabbit or cat, having a genetic mutation that causes the guard hairs to be short or lacking, often resulting in a curly coat. [From French (lapin) rex, rex (rabbit), name given to a breed of rabbit developed in France between 1919 and 1924 that displayed the mutation, from Latin rēx, king; see reg- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] rex adj. |
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