ICHNEUMON
ichneumon, Herpestes ichneumon
(noun) northern African mongoose; in ancient times thought to devour crocodile eggs
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
ichneumon (plural ichneumons)
The Egyptian mongoose, Herpestes ichneumon, found in Africa and southern Europe.
The ichneumon wasp.
Source: Wiktionary
Ich*neu"mon, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
1. (Zoöl.)
Definition: Any carnivorous mammal of the genus Herpestes, and family
Viverridæ. Numerous species are found in Asia and Africa. The
Egyptian species(H. ichneumon), which ranges to Spain and Palestine,
is noted for destroying the eggs and young of the crocodile as well
as various snakes and lizards, and hence was considered sacred by the
ancient Egyptians. The common species of India (H. griseus), known as
the mongoose, has similar habits and is often domesticated. It is
noted for killing the cobra.
2. (Zoöl.)
Definition: Any hymenopterous insect of the family Ichneumonidæ, of which
several thousand species are known, belonging to numerous genera.
Note: The female deposits her eggs upon, or in, the bodies of other
insects, such as caterpillars, plant lice, etc. The larva lives upon
the internal tissues of the insect in which it is parasitic, and
finally kills it. Hence, many of the species are beneficial to
agriculture by destroying noxious insects. Ichneumon fly. See
Ichneumon, 2.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition