mustang
UK[ˈmʌstæŋ]US[ˈmʌstæŋ]
n
A small, hardy wild horse of the North American plains, descended from horses brought by the Spanish.
Etymology
The word 'mustang' entered English in the early 19th century from Mexican Spanish mestengo, meaning 'stray' or 'ownerless animal'. This Spanish term itself derives from mesta, a medieval association of Spanish livestock owners, which influenced the development of a word for unbranded, feral livestock. The ultimate origin is likely the Latin adjective mixtus or mixta, meaning 'mixed', referring to animals of mixed ownership that roamed commonly. Thus, the term for a 'mixed' or unclaimed beast evolved through Spanish colonial history to specifically denote the feral horses of the American West.
Analysis
The word is a loanword adopted as a single, unanalyzable unit in English.
Examples
A lone mustang galloped freely across the open prairie.
The mustang is renowned for its endurance and independence.
Efforts are made to protect and manage the remaining herds of wild mustangs.