polecat

/ˈpoʊlˌkæt/
IPA guide

Other forms: polecats

Definitions of polecat
  1. noun
    American musteline mammal typically ejecting an intensely malodorous fluid when startled; in some classifications put in a separate subfamily Mephitinae
    synonyms: skunk, wood pussy
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    types:
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    Mephitis mephitis, striped skunk
    most common and widespread North American skunk
    Mephitis macroura, hooded skunk
    of Mexico and southernmost parts of southwestern United States
    Conepatus leuconotus, badger skunk, hog-nosed skunk, hognosed skunk, rooter skunk
    large naked-muzzled skunk with white back and tail; of southwestern North America and Mexico
    Spilogale putorius, little spotted skunk, spotted skunk
    small skunk with a marbled black and white coat; of United States and Mexico
    type of:
    mustelid, musteline, musteline mammal
    fissiped fur-bearing carnivorous mammals
  2. noun
    dark brown mustelid of woodlands of Eurasia that gives off an unpleasant odor when threatened
    synonyms: Mustela putorius, fitch, foulmart, foumart
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    types:
    ferret
    domesticated albino variety of the European polecat bred for hunting rats and rabbits
    type of:
    mustelid, musteline, musteline mammal
    fissiped fur-bearing carnivorous mammals
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