Mustang Meaning
/ˈmʌˌstæŋ/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA small, hardy, naturalized (feral) horse of the North American west.
nounA merchant marine who joined the U.S. Navy as a commissioned officer during the American Civil War.
Sentence Examples
Since Mac wants to buy a new Mustang, he is saving money.
Didn't I show you my new Mustang?
The Mustang was stolen and was involved in a robbery.
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CEFR Practice Quiz
In the wildlife reserve, the ____ ran free without any brand or owner.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from Mexican Spanish mestengo, from Old Spanish mesteño (“feral animal”) or mestengo (“feral animal”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The mustang pony, the invariable companion of the inhabitant of the prairie, whether he is rich or poor, is a little creature, apparently narrow-chested, and small across the loins."
— 1846, Thomas Bangs Thorpe, The Mysteries of the Backwoods, Carey and Hart, page 12:
"Having ridden a distance of two or three miles, Garey slackened his pace, and put the mustang to a slow walk."
— 1851, Mayne Reid, edited by Charles J. Skeet, The Scalp Hunters; Or, Romantic Adventures in Northern Mexico, volume 3, page 145:
"He is a product of the merchant marine and is one of the officers called "Mustangs" who entered the navy during the Civil War."
— 1903, James Hoyt (editor), Seen & Heard by Megargee, L.N. Megargee, page 1754
"He was the son of a famous artist, and was what we termed a "mustang" officer, who had come into the navy from the merchant service during the Civil War."
— 1939, Fred J. Buenzle, Bluejacket, W. W. Norton & Company, page 179:
"[…] and the chief engineer is a "mustang" — that is, an officer who has risen from the ranks of enlisted men."
— September-December 1918, Alfred Emanuel Smith, New Outlook, volume 120, Outlook Publishing Company, page 417:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
In the wildlife reserve, the ____ ran free without any brand or owner.