polecat

[pohl-kat]

noun

plural

polecats ,

plural

polecat .

1. a European mammal, Mustela putorius, of the weasel family, having a blackish fur and ejecting a fetid fluid when attacked or disturbed.

2. any of various North American skunks.

polecat

/ ˈpəʊlˌkæt /

noun

1. Also called (formerly): foumart. a dark brown musteline mammal, Mustela putorius, of woodlands of Europe, Asia, and N Africa, that is closely related to but larger than the weasel and gives off an unpleasant smell See also sweet marten

2. any of various related animals, such as the marbled polecat, Vormela peregusna

3. a nontechnical name for skunk

Word History and Origins

Origin of polecat¹

1275–1325; Middle English polcat, perhaps equivalent to Middle French pol, poul “chicken” (< Latin pullus ) + cat ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of polecat¹

C14 polcat, perhaps from Old French pol cock, from Latin pullus, + _cat ¹ ; from its habit of preying on poultry

Example Sentences

The exhilaration of the polecats sequence in “Fury Road” — that fact that there’s such a thing as polecats — made the series a constant source of glee.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

So far, erythrism has been identified in dozens of species, including reef manta rays, leopards, and European polecats.

Read more on National Geographic

One of the ferrets is described as a sable polecat ferret, and the other is a silver ferret.

Read more on BBC

Other species that have gotten infected around the world include a badger, bobcat, coyote, dolphin, ferret, fisher cat, fox, lynx, opossum, otter, pig, polecat, porpoise, raccoon, raccoon dog and multiple minks and seals.

Read more on Seattle Times

Two bobcats in Wisconsin, a coyote pup in Michigan and skunks in Canada have also tested positive for the virus, as have foxes, otters, a lynx, a polecat and a badger in Europe.

Read more on New York Times