ICHNEUMON Meaning and
Definition
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An ichneumon refers to a type of small carnivorous mammal that belongs to the genus Herpestes within the mongoose family Herpestidae. It is found primarily in Africa and southern Asia. The ichneumon possesses a long and slender body, typically measuring between 40 to 70 cm in length, with a long, bushy tail accounting for about half its body length. It displays a distinctive pattern consisting of alternating light and dark bands along its back and tail.
Known for its remarkable acrobatic abilities, the ichneumon is an agile climber and swimmer, inhabiting a variety of habitats, ranging from forests and grasslands to wetlands and agricultural areas. Its diet primarily consists of small vertebrates, insects, frogs, and occasionally birds and eggs. With its sharp teeth and keen senses, the ichneumon is an adept hunter, capable of catching agile prey swiftly.
Furthermore, the ichneumon has also been historically associated with ancient Egyptian culture due to the belief that it possessed the ability to kill venomous snakes and was worshipped as a sacred animal. Consequently, art and artifacts from ancient Egyptian civilization often depict the ichneumon as a symbol of protection and guardianship.
Overall, the ichneumon is a small predatory mammal characterized by its slender body, bushy tail, distinctive banding pattern, and its agility in various terrains, making it an intriguing and celebrated creature.
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A sort of ferret or weasel, inhabiting Egypt, which tracks or hunts after the eggs of the crocodile and feeds on them.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for ICHNEUMON
- uchneumon
- jchneumon
- kchneumon
- ochneumon
- 9chneumon
- 8chneumon
- ixhneumon
- ivhneumon
- ifhneumon
- idhneumon
- icgneumon
- icbneumon
- icnneumon
- icjneumon
- icuneumon
- icyneumon
- ichbeumon
- ichmeumon
- ichjeumon
Etymology of ICHNEUMON
The word "ichneumon" has its origins in Greek. It is derived from the Greek word "ikhneúmōn", which itself is derived from "ikhneúein", meaning "to track or to trace". In Greek mythology, the ichneumon was believed to be a creature capable of hunting down and destroying the eggs of the venomous Egyptian cobra, known as the "asp". The ichneumons were revered for their skill in tracking and finding these dangerous snakes. The term "ichneumon" then made its way into Latin and ultimately entered English as the name for a certain family of parasitic wasps, which were believed to exhibit similar egg-hunting behaviors.
Similar spelling word for ICHNEUMON
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