polecat

1. 1. A chiefly nocturnal European carnivorous mammal (Mustela putorius) of the weasel family that ejects a malodorous fluid to mark its territory and ward off enemies. Also called fitch.
   2. Any of various related mammals of Asia, especially Mustela eversmanni of central Asia.
2. See skunk (sense ).

[Middle English polcat : possibly Old French poll, poule, fowl, hen; see pullet + Middle English cat, cat; see cat.]

(click to enlarge)
European polecat (Mustela putorius) (credit: Russ Kinne — Photo Researchers)

Any of several carnivores of the weasel family (Mustelidae), found in Eurasia and Africa. The polecat hunts at night, principally on the ground, feeding on small mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, fishes, and eggs. Species differ in size and colour. The European, or common, polecat (Mustela putorius), also called foul marten for its odour, weighs 1 – 3 lb (0.5 – 1.4 kg) and is 14 – 21 in. (35 – 53 cm) long, excluding the 5 – 8-in. (13 – 20-cm) bushy tail. Its long, coarse fur is brown above, black below. In the U.S., skunks are often called polecats. See also ferret.

For more information on polecat, visit Britannica.com.

Putorius putorius (syn. Mustela putorius putorius), a member of the Mustelidae family of Carnivora. It has a long body, short legs, short furry tail and beady eyes and is about 2 ft long. Brown in color but some varieties, e.g. the ferret, have their own distinctive color. Can eject a foul smelling material from its anal glands when attacked. Its pelt is called fitch.

Dansk (Danish)
n. - ilder

Nederlands (Dutch)
bunzing

Français (French)
n. - putois, (US) mouffette

Deutsch (German)
n. - Iltis

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (ζωολ.) οζοϊκτίς, νυφίτσα, (μτφ.) βρομοκούναβο

Italiano (Italian)
puzzola, moffetta

Português (Portuguese)
n. - furão fétido (f)

Русский (Russian)
лесной хорек

Español (Spanish)
n. - turón, mofeta, zorrino

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - iller

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
鸡貂, 卑鄙小人, 臭鼬

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 雞貂, 卑鄙小人, 臭鼬

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 족제비의 일종(유럽산)

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - ケナガイタチ, スカンク

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) فأر خيل, ابن عرس, منتن‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮בואש (חיה)‬

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