marten

[mahr-tn]

noun

plural

martens ,

plural

marten .

1. any of several slender, chiefly arboreal carnivores of the genus Martes, of northern forests, having a long, glossy coat and bushy tail.

2. the fur of such an animal, generally a dark brown.

marten

/ ˈmɑːtɪn /

noun

1. any of several agile arboreal musteline mammals of the genus Martes, of Europe, Asia, and North America, having bushy tails and golden brown to blackish fur See also pine marten

2. the highly valued fur of these animals, esp that of M. americana

Word History and Origins

Origin of marten¹

1375–1425; < Middle Low German, equivalent to mart marten (cognate with Old English mearth ) + -en -en ⁵; replacing late Middle English martren < Middle French martrine marten fur, noun use of feminine of martrin pertaining to a marten, equivalent to martre marten (< Germanic; compare German Marder ) + -in -in ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of marten¹

C15: from Middle Dutch martren, from Old French ( peau ) martrine skin of a marten, from martre, probably of Germanic origin

Example Sentences

Each pine marten has been fitted with a radio collar so researchers can follow their fortunes over the next six to nine months.

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Exceptions were martens, rats, wasps, slugs and urban pigeons.

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A team from France has found antibodies to the virus in badgers and their cousins, pine martens.

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Pine marten researchers Johnny Birks and John Martin are trying to establish if pine martens can thrive in productive timber forests.

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It is hoped the consistently wet climate in north Devon will allow for a unique variety of plants and animals to thrive, including rare ferns and pine martens.

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