wolverine
[woo l-vuh-reen, woo l-vuh-reen]
- Also called carcajou. a stocky, carnivorous North American mammal, Gulo luscus, of the weasel family, having blackish, shaggy hair with white markings.
- (initial capital letter) a native or inhabitant of Michigan (the Wolverine State) (used as a nickname).
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Origin of wolverine
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for wolverine
Contemporary Examples
The co-owner of Metropolis Collectables, Vincent has Wolverine mutton chops, a Tony Stark goatee, and Lex Luthor swagger.
Hugh Jackman has been Wolverine in the movies and the flashy Boy From Oz on stage.
Fall Broadway Preview: 'This Is Our Youth,' Bradley Cooper as ‘The Elephant Man,' and MoreJanice Kaplan
September 11, 2014
The most credible scientific data on wolverine behavior documents an absolute dependence on “persistent spring snow habitat.”
“X-men Origins: Wolverine” featured a pharmaceutical plot twist so inane it was almost awesome.
The line I keep saying is that nobody goes around saying, “Hey, Iron Man has a better sense of humor than Wolverine.”
The Makers of ‘Mean Girls’ and ‘Heathers’ Discuss ‘Vampire Academy’ and Coming-of-Age MoviesDaniel Waters, Mark Waters
February 6, 2014
Historical Examples
He had often shot a lynx, and once or twice he had shot a wolverine.
The Book of Nature MythsFlorence Holbrook
Then the wolverine came upslope at a clumsy gallop to Shann.
Storm Over WarlockAndre Norton
For the wolverine male sprang for the horn-shelled shoulders.
Storm Over WarlockAndre Norton
Then he raised his hand, and the wolverine shuffled off, heading north.
Storm Over WarlockAndre Norton
This is Glutton the Wolverine, the largest and ugliest member of the family.
The Burgess Animal Book for ChildrenThornton W. Burgess
wolverine
- a large musteline mammal, Gulo gulo, of northern forests of Eurasia and North America having dark very thick water-resistant furAlso called: glutton
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Word Origin
C16 wolvering, from wolf + -ing ³ (later altered to -ine)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for wolverine
n.
carnivorous mammal, 1610s, alteration of wolvering (1570s), of uncertain origin, possibly from wolv-, inflectional stem of wolf; or perhaps from wolver "one who behaves like a wolf" (1590s).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper