Definition of weasel
weasels
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 (such 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
From the M-W Editors
Illustration of weasel
Origin and Etymology of weasel
Middle English wesele, from Old English weosule; akin to Old High German wisula weasel
First Known Use: before 12th century
weasel
Definition of weasel
weaseled
;weaseling
play \ˈwēz-liŋ, ˈwē-zə-\intransitive verb
1 : to use weasel words : equivocate
2 : to escape from or evade a situation or obligation —often used with out
transitive verb
: to manipulate shiftily
Examples of weasel in a Sentence
the polite guest chose to weasel rather than admit that he didn't like the meal
Origin and Etymology of weasel
weasel word
First Known Use: 1900
WEASEL Defined for English Language Learners
weasel
playDefinition of weasel for English Language Learners
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: a small animal that has a thin body and brown fur and that eats small birds and other animals
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: a dishonest person who cannot be trusted
WEASEL Defined for Kids
weasel
playDefinition of weasel for Students
: a small slender active animal related to the mink that feeds on small birds and animals (as mice)
Learn More about weasel
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See words that rhyme with weasel Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for weasel Spanish Central: Translation of weasel Nglish: Translation of weasel for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of weasel for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about weasel
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