ichneumon

noun

ich·​neu·​mon ik-ˈnü-mən How to pronounce ichneumon (audio)
-ˈnyü-
1
: a mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) of Africa, southern Europe, and southwestern Asia
2

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek ichneumōn, literally, tracker, from ichneuein to track, from ichnos footprint

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ichneumon was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near ichneumon

Cite this Entry

“Ichneumon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ichneumon. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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