Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Herpestes

noun
Her·​pes·​tes | \ ˌhərˈpe(ˌ)stēz\

Definition of Herpestes

: a genus of Old World carnivorous mammals (family Herpestidae) comprising typical mongooses

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Other Words from Herpestes

herpestine \ -​stə̇n , ˈhərpəˌstīn \ adjective or noun

History and Etymology for Herpestes

New Latin, from Greek herpēstēs animal that walks on all four feet, from herpēstēs, adjective, creeping, from herpein to creep

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Herpestes

Statistics for Herpestes

Look-up Popularity

Comments on Herpestes

What made you want to look up Herpestes? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

desideratum

Listen to the pronounciation of desideratum

something desired as essential

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

What's that Smell?! Quiz

  • wide eyed dog smelling rose
  • Someone who is hircine smells like a:
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games