mustelid

American  

[muhs-tl-id] / ˈmʌs tl ɪd /

noun

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

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adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the family Mustelidae.

mustelid Scientific  

/ mŭs′tə-lĭd′ /

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of mustelid

1905–10; < New Latin Mustelidae family name, equivalent to Mustel ( a ) a genus ( Latin mustēla weasel) + -idae -id ²

Example Sentences

Otters primarily eat fish and are taxonomically part of the mustelid family along with weasels, badgers and wolverines.

From Washington Times • Aug. 4, 2023

A wolverine was spotted three times recently in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, the second mustelid mammal specimen spotted in the state in the past century.

From Washington Times • Jun. 6, 2023

If your husband can simply say, “Please, I don’t want a ferret,” you must give up your mustelid dreams.

From New York Times • Apr. 7, 2022

Unfortunately, doing the same virtual reality experiment on a mustelid would probably be chaotic and stressful.

From New York Times • Aug. 19, 2021

Mustela frenata longicauda Bonaparte, 1838 Long-tailed Weasel This mustelid seems uncommon in northwestern South Dakota.

From Mammals of Northwestern South Dakota by Andersen, Kenneth W.