Ichneumon (Noun)
Meaning
Northern African mongoose; in ancient times thought to devour crocodile eggs.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- Ancient Egyptians believed the ichneumon possessed the unique ability to devour crocodile eggs unscathed.
- Herodotus, a Greek historian, once wrote about a North African ichneumon venturing into crocodile nests to feed on their eggs.
- The Greek myth about the mongoose-like ichneumon attacking and consuming crocodile eggs became an ancient wonder.
- An Egyptian manuscript depicts the brave ichneumon fighting a crocodile to protect its home, showing the animal's fierce reputation.
- Pliny the Elder's Historia Naturalis contains stories of ichneumons daringly eating the eggs and young of various reptiles, including crocodiles.