ichneumon (redirected from Ichneumon wasps)

ich·neu·mon  (k-nmn, -ny-)

n.

1. A large mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) of Africa and southern Europe, having a gray coat and black tail tufts. Also called Egyptian mongoose.

2. The ichneumon fly.

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[Latin ichneumn, weasel, ichneumon fly, from Greek ikhneumn, from ikhneuein, to track, from ikhnos, track.]

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ichneumon [ɪkˈnjuːmən]

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) a mongoose, Herpestes ichneumon, of Africa and S Europe, having greyish-brown speckled fur

[via Latin from Greek, literally: tracker, hunter, from ikhneuein to track, from ikhnos a footprint; so named from the animal's alleged ability to locate the eggs of crocodiles]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

ichneumon - northern African mongoose; in ancient times thought to devour crocodile eggs Herpestes ichneumon mongoose - agile grizzled Old World viverrine; preys on snakes and rodents