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What is the difference between polecat and weasel?

polecat | weasel |

As nouns the difference between polecat and weasel

is that polecat is a weasel-like animal of the genus Mustela, notably the European polecat, Mustela putorius while weasel is the least weasel, Mustela nivalis.

As a verb weasel is

to achieve by clever or devious means.

polecat

Noun

(en noun)
  • A weasel-like animal of the genus Mustela'', notably the European polecat, ''Mustela putorius .
  • (US, dialect) A skunk.
  • Quotations

    * 1919, , Duckworth, hardback edition, page 61 *: By the little garden pergola open to the winds some fluttered peacocks were blotted nervelessly amid the dripping trees, their heads sunk back beneath their wings: while in the pergoda itself, like a fallen storm-cloud, lolled a negress, her levelled, polecat eyes semi-veiled by the nebulous alchemy of the rainbow.

    Derived terms

    * marbled polecat * steppe polecat * striped polecat * European polecat

    Synonyms

    * fitch * foumart * skunk

    weasel

    English

    Noun

    (wikipedia weasel) (en noun)
  • The least weasel, Mustela nivalis .
  • Any of the carnivorous mammals of the genus Mustela , having a slender body, a long tail and usually a light brown upper coat and light-coloured belly.
  • The taxonomic family Mustelidae is also called the weasel family.
  • A devious or sneaky person or animal.
  • A type of yarn winder used for counting the yardage of handspun yarn. It most commonly has a wooden peg or dowel that pops up from the gearing mechanism after a certain number of yards have been wound onto the winder.
  • Derived terms

    * short-tailed weasel * weaselly, weasely * weasel word

    Verb

  • To achieve by clever or devious means.
  • * 2010 (publication date), Tony Dajer, "Vital Signs", , ISSN 0274-7529, volume 32, number 1, January–February 2011, page 10:
  • Prisoners are notorious for weaseling day passes to get out of lockup.
  • (transitive, or, reflexive) To gain something for oneself by clever or devious means.
  • *
  • *
  • To engage in clever or devious behavior.
  • *
  • Usage notes

    * and weaselled are more common in the UK.

    Derived terms

    * weasel one's way * weasel out

    See also

    * ferret * mink * polecat * stoat