quagga

[ kwag-uh, kwog-uh ]

noun

1. an extinct equine mammal, Equus quagga, of southern Africa, related to and resembling the zebra, but striped only on the forepart of the body and the head.

quagga

/ ˈkwæɡə /

noun

1. a recently extinct member of the horse family ( Equidae ), Equus quagga, of southern Africa: it had a sandy brown colouring with zebra-like stripes on the head and shoulders

Word History and Origins

Origin of quagga¹

1775–85; < Afrikaans (now spelling kwagga ) < Khoikhoi, first recorded as quácha (1691); said to be imitative of the animal's yelp

Word History and Origins

Origin of quagga¹

C18: from obsolete Afrikaans, from Khoikhoi qǔagga; compare Xhosa i-qwara something striped

Example Sentences

One of the latest problems for these ships are quagga mussels, an invasive freshwater mussel native to Ukraine that latches onto the wood of these shipwrecks.

From Popular-Science

He was curious moreover, to find out whether his own quagga was quite equal to any of its old companions.

From Project Gutenberg

After a moment he bent down, passed a sleeve upon each side under the quagga's throat, and then knotted them together.

From Project Gutenberg

This family consists of the true horses and the asses, which latter also include the zebra and quagga.

From Project Gutenberg

He is perhaps more allied to the quagga, but without stripes, except a reported one along each side of the back to the tail.

From Project Gutenberg

Determined to try a quagga—quagga tried me, and very soon found me wanting, A quagga is a brute to buck!

From Project Gutenberg