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mongoose

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

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Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) (1)
 mongoose on Wikipedia
 Herpestidae on Wikispecies

Wikispecies

Alternative forms

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Etymology

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First attested in the 1690s. Borrowed from Portuguese manguço, from Marathi मुंगूस (muṅgūs), from Old Marathi 𑘦𑘳𑘽𑘐𑘳𑘭 (muṃgusa). Ultimately a Dravidian borrowing (compare Telugu ముంగిస (muṅgisa)), from Proto-Dravidian *mūnkūc- (“mongoose”). Spelling altered by folk-etymological association with goose. Displaced native Old English nǣderbita (literally “snake biter”).

Pronunciation

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Noun

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mongoose (plural mongooses or (nonstandard) mongeese)

  2. Any of several species of generalist predatory carnivores in the family Herpestidae; the various species range in size from rats to large cats. Indian mongooses are predators of venomous snakes, though other mongoose species have similar habits.
    • 1864, John Holmes Agnew et al., The Eclectic Magazine: Foreign Literature‎[1]:
      After the mongoose had satisfied its appetite, we proceeded to examine with a pocket lens the wounds he had received from the cobra; and on cleansing one of these places, the lens disclosed the broken fang of the cobra deeply imbedded in the head of the mongoose... We have had the mongoose confined ever since (now four days' time), and it is as healthy and lively as ever.
    • 1924, Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book:Rikki-Tikki-Tavi:
      He was a mongoose, rather like a little cat in his fur and his tail, but quite like a weasel in his head and his habits.
    • 2008 June 20, Edward Rothstein, “Critters of a Wondrous Isle, Meet Your Friend and Foe”, in The New York Times‎[2], archived from the original on 4 January 2022:
      To unsuspecting eyes these mongoose relatives can seem eminently pettable.
    • 2013 April 4, Hannibal, season 1, episode 1:
      Hannibal Lecter: I think Uncle Jack sees you as a fragile little tea-cup, the finest china used for only special guests.
      Will Graham: How do you see me?
      Hannibal Lecter: The mongoose I want under the house when the snakes slither by.
  3. Any members of family Eupleridae of Malagasy mongooses, only distantly related to the Herpestidae, but resembling them in appearance and habits, with larger ears and ringed tails.

Synonyms

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  • (mammal of the family Herpestidae): herpestid

Derived terms

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Derived terms

Translations

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Anagrams

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