weasel

[wee-zuhl]

noun

plural

weasels ,

plural

weasel .

1. any small carnivore of the genus Mustela, of the family Mustelidae, having a long, slender body and feeding chiefly on small rodents.

2. any of various similar animals of the family Mustelidae.

3. a cunning, sneaky person.

4. a tracked vehicle resembling a tractor, used in snow.

5. Slang.,  an informer; stool pigeon.

verb (used without object)

1. to evade an obligation, duty, or the like; renege (often followed byout ).

   That's one invitation I'd like to weasel out of.

2. to use weasel words; be ambiguous; mislead.

   Upon cross-examination the witness began to weasel.

3. Slang.,  to inform.

weasel

/ ˈwiːzəl /

noun

1. any of various small predatory musteline mammals of the genus Mustela and related genera, esp M. nivalis ( European weasel ), having reddish-brown fur, an elongated body and neck, and short legs

2. informal,  a sly or treacherous person

3. a motor vehicle for use in snow, esp one with caterpillar tracks

Other Word Forms

• weaselly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of weasel¹

before 900; 1920–25 weasel for def. 6; Middle English wesele, Old English wesle, weosule; cognate with Old High German wisula, German Wiesel

Word History and Origins

Origin of weasel¹

Old English weosule, wesle; related to Old Norse visla, Old High German wisula, Middle Dutch wesel

Example Sentences

Martin Van Buren, the only American president whose first language was not English, was a manipulative and prevaricating weasel.

From Salon

Another resident of L.A. said they feel that a lot of the concern is perfunctory, and worse, a disingenuous effort from folks they’ve purged to “weasel back into their life.”

From Los Angeles Times

Traditional brushes are made with animal hair from squirrels, goats or sable, a species of weasel.

From BBC

When he even pretended to be moderate on abortion with his weasel words around the Florida ban, anti-choice activists threw a fit.

From Salon

In a series of tweets, he called Mr Vine a “weasel” and a “government shill” and said: “If you see this fella by a primary school call 999.”

From BBC