mascot
UK[ˈmæskət]US[ˈmæskət]
n
a person, animal, or object that is believed to bring good luck, or one that represents an organization such as a sports team
Etymology
The word 'mascot' entered English in the late 19th century from the French term 'mascotte', meaning a talisman or charm. The French word itself derived from the Provençal 'mascoto', a diminutive of 'masco', meaning 'witch' or 'sorceress'. This Provençal term can be traced back to the Medieval Latin 'masca', denoting a specter, nightmare, or witch. The semantic journey is one of softening and domestication: from a frightening supernatural figure (a witch) to a small, harmless charm, and finally to a symbolic figure believed to bring good fortune or represent a group's spirit.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword from French. Its spelling and form are treated as a single unit in modern English.
Examples
The team's mascot, a giant eagle, fired up the crowd before the game.
She kept the little toy soldier as a good luck mascot during her exams.
The company introduced a friendly robot as its new corporate mascot.