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weasel
The definition of a weasel is an animal in the genus Mustela that's thin, has a long tail and eats small animals, or a sneaky person.
(noun)- An example of a weasel is the creature chased by a monkey around the mulberry bush.
- An example of a weasel is a person who always finagles more than she or he deserves.
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See weasel in Webster's New World College Dictionary
- any of various agile musteline carnivores (esp. genus Mustela) with a long, slender body, short legs, and a long, bushy tail: they feed on rats, mice, birds, eggs, etc. and are worldwide
- a sly, cunning, or sneaky person
Origin: ME wesel < OE wesle, akin to Ger wiesel, prob. < IE base *weis-, to flow out (with reference to the rank odor emitted by the animal) > virus, bison
intransitive verb
- to use weasel words
- Informal to avoid or evade a commitment or responsibility: with out
Related Forms:
- weaselly adjective
See weasel in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- Any of various carnivorous mammals of the genus Mustela, having a long slender body, a long tail, short legs, and brownish fur that in many species turns white in winter.
- A person regarded as sneaky or treacherous.
To be evasive; equivocate.
Phrasal Verb: weasel out Informal To back out of a situation or commitment in a sneaky or cowardly manner.Origin:
Origin: Middle English wesele
Origin: , from Old English wesle
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