Bonaparte's weasel

noun

: a small, short-tailed, chocolate-brown weasel of northeastern No. America that has a white coat in winter

Note: Bonaparte's weasel is considered either a subspecies (Mustela erminea cicognanii) of ermine or, especially formerly, a separate species (Mustela cicognanii).

Word History

Etymology

after C.L.J.L.Bonaparte

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near Bonaparte's weasel

Cite this Entry

“Bonaparte's weasel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bonaparte%27s%20weasel. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!