mahout

[ muh-hout ]

noun

1. the keeper or driver of an elephant, especially in India and the East Indies.

mahout

/ məˈhaʊt /

noun

1. (in India and the East Indies) an elephant driver or keeper

Word History and Origins

Origin of mahout¹

1655–65; < Hindi mahāut, variant of mahāvat; compare Prakrit mahāmatta, Sanskrit mahāmatra elephant driver

Word History and Origins

Origin of mahout¹

C17: Hindi mahāut, from Sanskrit mahāmātra of great measure, originally a title

Example Sentences

"The documentary's success was a 'moment of national pride' that has brought widespread recognition for the work of mahouts like Bomman and Bellie," they said.

From BBC

Several mahouts went to Sri Lanka in advance to accustom the animal to being caged so he wouldn’t panic during the trip to Thailand.

From Washington Times

Several mahouts had been sent beforehand to Sri Lanka to help the elephant feel at ease in a cage so he wouldn’t panic while being transported.

From Seattle Times

Perera, who oversees his care, along with a mahout and other staff, said he would probably need hydrotherapy facilities that Sri Lanka lacks to restore full movement.

From Reuters

On nearby roads, it’s not uncommon to see pachyderms traipsing along with their mahouts straddling their thick necks as vehicles carefully navigate around them.

From New York Times