释义 |
ich·neu·mon \-mən\ noun (-s) Etymology: Latin, from Greek ichneumōn, mongoose, small wasp, literally, tracker, from ichneuein to track, from ichnos track, footstep; the mongoose so called from the ancient belief that it hunted out the eggs of the crocodile; the wasp so called from its hunting of spiders 1. : mongoose; especially : the No. African mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) that was highly regarded in ancient times for being supposed to devour crocodiles' eggs 2. : ichneumon fly |