ichneumon

noun

ich·​neu·​mon ik-ˈnü-mən 

-ˈnyü-

1

: a mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) of Africa, southern Europe, and southwestern Asia

2

: ichneumon wasp

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

Phrases Containing ichneumon

• ichneumon fly
• ichneumon wasp