mongoose
Any of several species of generalist predatory carnivores in the family HerpestidaeAny 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.
» The mongoose has caught a snake.
Meaning
2 sensesAny 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.
Manguste, Mungo
мангу́стmangúst
мангу́стаmanhústa
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.
- agile grizzled Old World viverrine; preys on snakes and rodents
Examples
7 sentencesThe mongoose has caught a snake.
The mongoose feed on snakes and insects.
The mongoose always stay together as a group.
A mongoose and a cat are playing together.
Never having seen a mongoose, I do not know what they are like.
Translations
9 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
First attested in the 1690s. Borrowed from Portuguese manguço, from Marathi मुंगूस (muṅgūsFirst 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”).
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Forms
plural: mongoosesSynonyms
1 synonymsWord family
3 related wordsLessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Plural nouns — Because its plural is irregular