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mongoose

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

mongoose

Main Entry:: mon·goose
Pronunciation:: \ˈmän-ˌgüs, ˈmäŋ-\
Function:: noun
Inflected Form(s):: plural mon·goos·es also mon·geese \-ˌgēs\
Etymology:: Hindi & Marathi mãgūs, from Prakrit maṁgūsa
Date:: 1698

: any of numerous carnivorous mammals (family Herpestidae) that are agile usually ferret-sized mammals sometimes with bands or stripes, feed chiefly on small animals and fruits, and are sometimes grouped with the viverrids in two subfamilies (Herpestinae and Galidiinae)

[mongoose illustration]

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