meerkat etymology

Etymology:

The word "meerkat" is derived from two Afrikaans words:

  • Meer: meaning "lake" or "sea"
  • Kat: meaning "cat"

Meaning:

Meerkat is a common name for a small, slender, carnivorous mammal belonging to the genus Suricata. They are also known as "sentry cats" due to their characteristic habit of standing on their hind legs to survey their surroundings.

Origin:

The meerkat is native to the southern African desert regions, including Botswana, Namibia, Angola, and South Africa. The name "meerkat" was first used by Dutch settlers in the 17th century, likely due to the animals' resemblance to cats and their presence near water sources (lakes or rivers).

meerkat relate terms

  • mere

    Etymology Sanskrit मेर mer mountain Meaning Sanskrit A mythical mountai

  • aquamarine

    Etymology Aquamarine is derived from the Latin words aqua meaning water and ma

  • Armorica

    Etymology The name Armorica is derived from the Gaulish word are meaning before

  • beche de mer

    Etymology The term bêche de mer comes from the French language and literally means se

  • cormorant

    Etymology The word cormorant is derived from the Old French word cormareng which in

  • mare

    Etymology Old English mare feminine noun nightmare goblin Proto Germanic marōn

  • marina

    Etymology Latin marinus of the sea Greek μάρινος of the sea Meaning

  • marinate

    Etymology French mariner to pickle Latin marinus of the sea Meaning To soa

  • marine

    Etymology The word marine is derived from the Latin marinus which means of the sea

  • mariner

    Etymology The word mariner comes from the Old French word marinier which in turn de

  • maritime

    Etymology The word maritime is derived from the Latin word maritimus which means b

  • marsh

    Etymology The word marsh comes from the Old English word mersc which originally mea

  • mere

    Etymology Sanskrit मेर mer mountain Meaning Sanskrit A mythical mountai

  • Merlin

    Etymology The name Merlin is of Welsh origin and is thought to be derived from two poss

  • mermaid

    Etymology The word mermaid is derived from two Old English words Mere meaning s

  • merman

    Etymology The word merman is derived from two words mere Middle English for lake

  • meerschaum

    Etymology German Meerschaum from Meerschaum foam of the sea Meaning A soft whi

  • meerkat

    Etymology The word meerkat is derived from two Afrikaans words Meer meaning lake

  • morass

    Etymology The word morass comes from the Old French word marais which likely derive

  • Muriel

    Etymology and Origin Celtic Scottish muir sea gal lover Irish Gaelic m

  • rosemary

    Etymology From Old French rosemarine from Medieval Latin rosmarinus in turn from Lati

  • submarine

    Etymology The word submarine originated from the Latin prefix sub under and the nou

  • ultramarine

    Etymology Ultramarine comes from the Latin phrase ultramarinus meaning beyond the s

  • Weimar

    Etymology and Origin The name Weimar derives from the Old High German word Wihadamare

  • passion

    Etymology The word passion derives from the Late Latin word passio meaning sufferi

  • cinema

    Etymology The word cinema is derived from the Greek word kinēma κίνημα mea

  • promise

    Etymology The word promise comes from the Old French word promesse which in turn de

  • deserve

    Etymology The word deserve comes from the Old French word deservir which is derived

  • hector

    Etymology The name Hector has ancient Greek origins It is derived from the Greek word

  • anecdote

    Etymology French anecdote unpublished or private story Late Latin anekdotos unpubli

  • smart

    Etymology of smart Middle English smarte smerte Old English smeortan smeort Proto

  • abrupt

    Etymology From Latin abruptus participle of abrumpere meaning to break off or

  • alchemy

    Etymology Alchemy comes from the Medieval Latin word alchemia which is derived from th

  • Monday

    Etymology Old English Mōnandæg Mōna moon dæg day Meaning and Origin Monday