mongoose
/'mɔɳgu:s/
Definition
- Noun:
- A small, agile, carnivorous mammal native to Africa, Asia, and southern Europe, characterized by a long body, a pointed face, and a bushy tail. Mongooses are known for their ability to hunt and kill venomous snakes and rodents.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The mongoose darted across the road and disappeared into the bushes.
- Farmers sometimes appreciate the mongoose because it controls rodent populations.
- A famous story features a mongoose named Rikki-Tikki-Tavi who fought cobras.
Advanced Usage
- "to be a mongoose": used figuratively to describe someone who is quick, clever, and effective at dealing with threats or problems.
- In the corporate world, she was a real mongoose, swiftly neutralizing competitors' strategies.
Variants and Related Words
- Mongooses (n): The standard plural form of mongoose.
- We observed three mongooses hunting together.
Synonyms
- Viverrine: A member of the family Viverridae, which includes mongooses, civets, and genets. (More technical/scientific)
- Predator: An animal that naturally preys on others. (Broader term)
Related Phrases
- Mongoose family: Refers to the biological family Herpestidae, to which all mongoose species belong.
- The meerkat is a member of the mongoose family.
Related Idioms
- (As) quick as a mongoose: Used to describe someone or something that moves or reacts with great speed and agility.
- The boxer was as quick as a mongoose, dodging every punch.
Noun
-
agile grizzled Old World viverrine; preys on snakes and rodents
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