weasel etymology

Etymology and Meaning:

The word "weasel" has Germanic origins:

• Proto-Germanic: wesula
• Old English: wesel
• Old High German: wisala

The Germanic word likely derives from the Proto-Indo-European root wes-, meaning "to shine" or "to be bright." This may refer to the weasel's sleek, shiny fur.

In English, "weasel" has come to mean:

• A small, furry carnivorous mammal of the genus Mustela, known for its long, slender body and agile movements.
• A person who is sly, cunning, or treacherous.

Origin:

The word "weasel" is believed to have been in use in English since the 7th century AD. It has remained relatively unchanged in spelling and meaning for over a millennium.

Related Words:

• Ermine: A white weasel, especially one that has been killed and skinned for its valuable fur.
• Stoat: A smaller, more slender species of weasel, also known for its white fur in winter.
• Polecat: A larger, darker species of weasel known for its strong scent.
• Marten: A closely related genus of weasels with a distinctive bushy tail.

weasel relate terms

• bison

  Etymology Bison comes from the Latin bison which in turn comes from the Proto Germanic

• weasel

  Etymology and Meaning The word weasel has Germanic origins Proto Germanic wesula O

• aurochs

  Etymology Aurochs is derived from the Old German word ūruhso or ūrohs which mean

• buffalo

  Etymology The term buffalo is derived from the Latin word bubalus which in turn ori

• mustelid

  Etymology The word mustelid is derived from the Latin word mustela which means wea

• ermine

  Etymology The word ermine comes from the Latin word armenius meaning Armenian M

• ferret

  Etymology The word ferret comes from the Middle French word furet meaning little t

• polecat

  Etymology The word polecat originates from the Middle English word polcat which is a

• dogfish

  Etymology The word dogfish is a compound word made up of two parts Dog This part li

• marten

  Etymology The word marten is derived from the Old French word martrine which in tur

• individual

  Etymology from Latin individuum an individual thing or being from in not

• mortal

  Etymology Latin mortalis meaning subject to death Proto Indo European mrtós mea

• somebody

  Etymology Some indefinite pronoun Middle English sum or som from Old English