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In the sense of "snake-killing ichneumon of India," first record 1698, perhaps via Portugese (Goa), from the Indic (cf. Mahrathi mangus "mongoose"), probably ultimately from Dravidian (cf. Telugu mangisu, Kanarese mungisi, Malayalam mangis). The form of the English word altered by folk-etymology.
(n.b. Author's personal experience discovers mongoose husbandry commonly proximate to temples worshipping Naga, Hindu god/snake manifestation in southern India; Kerala and Tamilnadu)
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe word mongoose is derived from the Marathi name mangus (मंगूस) (pronounced as [məŋɡuːs]), perhaps ultimately from Dravidian (cf. Telugu mungeesa (ముంగిస), Kannada mungisi (ಮುಙಿಸಿ). The form of the English name (since 1698) was altered to its -goose ending by folk-etymology. It has no etymological connection with the word goose. The plural form is mongooses.
It's derived from Darvidian.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agothe ancient dravidian languages of south India
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoWiki User
∙ 11y agoFrom the Marathi language of western and central India - mangus
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What original language did the term zebra derive from?
Europe
Where did the word mongoose derive?
Marahti
What word does the word 'session' derive from?
Latin is the original language, please see the related link:
What is the original language from which mongoose was derived?
Comes from the Marathi name 'mangus'. The English word was adapted in the very late 1600's, the Marathi name sounded like Mongoose to the English 'ears'
What language does the word mongoose come from?
The English word 'mongoose' is from mangus (मंगूस) in the Marathi language, which is spoken in West India.
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Greek
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English.
What language did the term zebra derive from?
Europe
The language from with the word mawkish derive is?
Middle English
Does the French language derive from spanish?
No, the French language does not derive from Spanish. Both languages are members of the Romance language family, which evolved from Latin, but they developed separately and have their own distinct histories and linguistic characteristics.
What language does calligraphy derive?
Calligraphy means beautiful handwriting and it derived from Greek language
What is the Hawaiian word for mongoose?
Hawaiian uses the English word "mongoose" but it is spelled to fit the Hawaiian language: manakuke [ma-na-koo-kay] .
