Main Entry:

¹wea·sel

Pronunciation:

\ˈwē-zəl\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural weasels

Etymology:

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

Date:

before 12th century

1or 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 1a2: a light self-propelled tracked vehicle built either for traveling over snow, ice, or sand or as an amphibious vehicle3: a sneaky, untrustworthy, or insincere person

[weasel illustration]