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

The effects for the state’s water infrastructure could be similar to the complications that have been caused by an invasion of quagga mussels in the Colorado River’s reservoirs.

From Los Angeles Times

“This simple measure has served to prevent spreading quagga and zebra mussels and is equally effective in stopping the overland spread of golden mussels,” officials said.

From Los Angeles Times

Zebra and quagga mussels, belonging to the Dreissenid family, are widespread freshwater invasive species throughout North America that present a significant danger to native ecosystems by competing for resources.

From Science Daily

That leaves archaeologists and historians like Baillod scrambling to locate as many wrecks as possible to map and document before they disintegrate under the quaggas’ assaults.

From Seattle Times

Acidification could weaken quaggas’ calcium carbonate shells, as it has with ocean mussels and clams.

From Seattle Times