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Glite Dictionary
🐝 A wasp 🦦 A large mongoose
ichneumon

ichneumon

9.9
A large mongoose from northern Africa believed to eat crocodile eggs
  • noun
  • /ˈɪk.njuː.mən/
  • Archaic
translation icon : ichneumon
  • Naturalists once believed the ichneumon helped control crocodile populations along the Nile.

Examples

  • The ichneumon is known for its unique hunting skills.

  • The ancient Egyptians revered the ichneumon for its skill in hunting crocodile eggs.

  • An ichneumon can be difficult to spot due to its elusive behavior.

  • Did you see the ichneumon at the zoo?

  • The ichneumon is known for its unique ability to hunt down crocodile nests.

  • In ancient Egypt, the ichneumon was revered for its role in protecting against crocodiles.

  • During our safari, we spotted an ichneumon darting through the grass near the riverbank.

Synonyms

Herpestes ichneumon
vsichneumon
  • Specialized
9.9

A small mongoose from northern Africa and the Mediterranean that people long ago believed ate crocodile eggs

is a larger northern African form stressing size rather than slenderness

Compounds

ichneumon fly
  • Specialized
9.9

A wasp-like insect that lays eggs inside caterpillars so the young eat them

Surface Forms

ichneumon singular
ichneumons plural

Etymology

Ichneumon comes from a Greek word ichneumon that means 'tracker'. Ancient people used the name for a mongoose seen hunting crocodile eggs along river banks, so the name fits an animal that follows tracks to find its food.