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

Time Traveler

The first known use of ichneumon was in the 15th century

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Browse Nearby Words

Ichneumia

ichneumon

Ichneumones

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Ichneumon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ichneumon. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.

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