Weasel
WordNet

noun


(1)   Small carnivorous mammal with short legs and elongated body and neck
WiktionaryText

Etymology


From , cognates in other Germanic languages (Dutch , German , Frisian ), but has no known cognates in other Indo-European language groups.

Noun


  1. The least weasel, (Mustela nivalis)
  2. Any of the carnivorous mammals of the genus Mustela, having a slender body, a long tail and usually a light brown upper coat and light-coloured belly.
  3. The taxonomic family Mustelidae is also called the weasel family.
  4. A devious or sneaky person or animal.
  5. A type of yarn winder used for counting the yardage of handspun yarn. It most commonly has a wooden peg or dowel that pops up from the gearing mechanism after a certain number of yards have been wound onto the winder.

Verb



  1. To benefit by clever or devious means, esp. to escape a commitment (from the supposed cunningness of the weasel).
    To weasel out of doing something
    To weasel something out of somebody

Usage notes

  • Weaseling and weaseled are more common in the US. Weaselling and weaselled are more common in the UK.
 
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