mustelid

[ muhs-tl-id ]

/ ˈmʌs tl ɪd /

noun

any of numerous carnivorous mammals of the family Mustelidae, comprising the weasels, martens, skunks, badgers, and otters.

adjective

belonging or pertaining to the family Mustelidae.

Nearby words

Origin of mustelid

1905–10; < New Latin Mustelidae family name, equivalent to Mustel(a) a genus (Latin mustēla weasel) + -idae -id²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for mustelid

Like all the other members of the family Mustelid, the Marten is provided with glands near the base of the tail.
Animal Life of the British Isles|Edward Step
The Mustelid are allied to the Viverrid in their general conformation.
The Desert World|Arthur Mangin
As a small point of likeness between this Mustelid and the Procyonidae may be mentioned the colours of the face.
The Cambridge Natural History, Vol X., Mammalia|Frank Evers Beddard

Word Origin and History for mustelid

mustelid

1910, from Modern Latin Mustelidae, taken as a genus name by Linnaeus (1758), from Latin mustela "weasel," possibly related to mus "mouse" (see mouse (n.)). Tucker tentatively suggests *mus-ters-la "mouse harrier" and Klein notes that the weasel was identified in antiquity as "the catcher of mice."

Science definitions for mustelid

mustelid

[ mŭs′tə-lĭd′ ]

Any of various small to midsize carnivorous mammals of the family Mustelidae, usually having long, slender bodies, short legs, and well-developed anal scent glands. The pelts of many mustelids have been important for use in clothing. Weasels, skunks, badgers, wolverines, ferrets, mink, martens, and otters are mustelids.