First Known Use: 1676
Dictionary
menagerie
noun me·nag·er·ie \mə-ˈnaj-rē, -ˈna-jə- also -ˈnazh-rē, -ˈna-zhə-\
: a collection of animals kept especially to be shown to the public
Full Definition of MENAGERIE
1
a : a place where animals are kept and trained especially for exhibition b : a collection of wild or foreign animals kept especially for exhibition
2
: a varied mixture <a menagerie of comedians — TV Guide>
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Origin of MENAGERIE
French ménagerie, from Middle French, management of a household or farm, from menage
Related to MENAGERIE
- Synonyms
- agglomerate, agglomeration, alphabet soup, assortment, botch, clutter, collage, crazy quilt, farrago, gallimaufry, grab bag, gumbo, hash, hodgepodge, hotchpotch, jambalaya, jumble, jungle, litter, macédoine, medley, mélange, miscellany, miscellanea, mishmash, mixed bag, montage, motley, muddle, olio, olla podrida, omnium-gatherum, pastiche, patchwork, patchwork quilt, potpourri, ragbag, ragout, rummage, salad, salmagundi, scramble, shuffle, smorgasbord, stew, tumble, variety, welter
Other Zoology Terms
MENAGERIE Defined for Kids
menagerie
noun me·nag·er·ie \mə-ˈna-jə-rē\
Definition of MENAGERIE for Kids
: a collection of wild animals kept especially to be shown to the public
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