meer·kat noun ormier·kat\ˈmi(ə)rˌkat\ (-s) Etymology: Afrikaans meerkat, from Dutch, a kind of monkey, from Middle Dutch meercatte monkey, from meer sea + catte cat; from the fact that monkeys came to Europe from overseas 1.: any of several mongooses; especially: a mongoose (Cynictis penicillata) of southern Africa 2.: suricate