polecat

American  

[pohl-kat] / ˈpoʊlˌkæt /

noun

• polecats,
  plural
• polecat
  plural

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.

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polecat British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• polecat
  plural
• polecats
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of polecat

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

polecat polecats

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.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 22, 2023

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.

From New York Times ● Jun. 18, 2022

However, it is good news for the otter, pine marten, polecat and badger, which have all seen their populations and geographical range spread.

From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2018

“We’re preparing for everything. Some wildcat, polecat, everything. Don’t be surprised if they come out there with that ‘Little Giants’ formation or the Flying V. They’ve got something up their sleeve.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 16, 2016

Gale the polecat skittered around the goddess’s feet, farting and gnashing her teeth.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

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

From National Geographic ● Feb. 12, 2024

One introductionist I spoke to, Graham Wellstead, has released hundreds of polecats into the English countryside, helping this once-persecuted small carnivore spread across the south and east of the country once again.

From The Guardian ● Oct. 13, 2020

Director Miller is liked and respected by his peers and, at the age of 70, has delivered a film opera big enough to contain feminist ambitions, chainsaw-wielding polecats and barking mad humor.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 4, 2016

Then the moment your back is turned, they're fighting like demented polecats and blaming the other for starting it.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2014

"Ha' you any rats, mice, polecats, or weasels, or any old cows sick o' the measles?"

From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood

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