musteline

[ muhs-tl-ahyn, -in ]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the family Mustelidae, including the martens, skunks, minks, weasels, badgers, and otters.
2. resembling a weasel.
3. tawny or brown, like a weasel in summer.

musteline

/ ˈmʌstɪˌlaɪn; -lɪn /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Mustelidae, a family of typically predatory mammals including weasels, ferrets, minks, polecats, badgers, skunks, and otters: order Carnivora (carnivores)

noun

1. any musteline animal

Word History and Origins

Origin of musteline¹

1650–60; < Latin mustēlīnus, equivalent to mustēl ( a ) weasel + -īnus -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of musteline¹

C17: from Latin mustēlīnus, from mustēla weasel, from mūs mouse + -tēla, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The small mandibular ramus of a musteline referred by Dr. Roth to Mephitis suffocans, does not pertain to this genus and species.

From Project Gutenberg