1. a small carnivorous mammal with a long body and tail, native to Africa and Asia, known for its ability to kill snakes

Examples

• The mongoose quickly attacked the cobra that had entered the village.
• Mongooses are immune to many types of snake venom.
• We saw a mongoose hunting for insects in the tall grass.
• The Indian mongoose was introduced to Hawaii to control rat populations.
• A family of mongooses made their den under the old tree.
• The mongoose’s quick reflexes help it avoid snake strikes.