polecat

Everyday

1. A polecat is a wild animal of the weasel family, with dark brown fur and a pale face mask, that gives off a strong smell when frightened. tree →
2. (USA) In the USA, «polecat» is an old country word for a skunk. tree →
3. (old, insult) Calling someone a polecat once meant they were nasty. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons it is a carnivore of Europe; the pet ferret comes from it. In US stories, a «polecat» may be a skunk. Phrases: European polecat.

Examples

• The polecat hunted rabbits at night. tree →
• Pet ferrets are related to polecats. tree →
• Polecats live in Britain and Europe. tree →
• The polecat has a dark mask on its face. tree →
• (USA) Grandpa called the skunk a polecat. tree →
• A frightened polecat gives off a nasty smell. tree →
• She had a mane like a horse, horns like a deer, a face like a bear, eyes like a polecat; while her body had something of each. tree →

Note

Countable: polecats. It is not a cat and has nothing to do with poles; the name may come from old French for chicken, because it ate hens.