mustela

Noun

mustela (plural mustelas)

1. Any of the carnivorous mammals of the genus Mustela.
   • Almost all of the mustelas have a power of secreting and discharging a most fetid and intolerable stench at their will; and many of them do it as a mean of defence: and often so effectually that the very beast that pursues them is compelled to relinquish the chace, so completely is he overpowered...1826, John Mason Good, “Lecture I. On Zoological Systems, and the Distinctive Characters of Animals”, in The Book of Nature, volume II, London: Printed for Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green, […]...
   • Skull.—The skull of the Felis yaguarundi, in general shape, exhibits a close relationship to that of F. eyra, and, like it, much narrower and elongated than in the Felida concolor or pardalis; calling to mind the mustelas as much as the cats.1859, S. F. Baird, “Part II. Zoology of the Boundary”, “Mammals”, in William H. Emory, editor, Report on the United States and Mexican Boundary Survey, Made under the Direction of the Secretary of...

   Synonyms:

   weasel