weasel

¹wea·sel

noun \ˈwē-zəl\

plural weasels

Definition of WEASEL

1

or plural weasel : any of various small slender active carnivorous mammals (genus Mustela of the family Mustelidae, the weasel family) that are able to prey on animals (as rabbits) larger than themselves, are mostly brown with white or yellowish underparts, and in northern forms turn white in winter — compare ermine 1a

2

: a light self-propelled tracked vehicle built either for traveling over snow, ice, or sand or as an amphibious vehicle

3

: a sneaky, untrustworthy, or insincere person

Illustration of WEASEL

Origin of WEASEL

Middle English wesele, from Old English weosule; akin to Old High German wisula weasel

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Mammals Terms

dormouse, dugong, gibbon, grimalkin, sable, stoat, ungulate, vole

Rhymes with WEASEL

bezel, deasil, diesel, easel, measle, teasel