bongo
A striped bovine mammal found in Africa, Tragelaphus eurycerus.
Noun
- A striped bovine mammal found in Africa, Tragelaphus eurycerus.
Origin
From Spanish bongo.
Forms
Noun Entry 2
- Either of a pair of small drums of Cuban origin, played by beating with the hands.
- He's banging on the bongos like a chimpanzee. - 1984, Dire Straits (band), Money for Nothing (song)
Synonyms: bongo drum
Origin
From United States Spanish bongó, from a Bantu language; probably Ekele boungu.
Forms
Derived
Verb
- To play the bongo drums.
- Of the heart, etc.: to beat with an irregular rhythm.
- To hit something rhythmically with the hands.