Cape polecat

Cape polecat
Zorilla o*ril"la, n. [Sp. zorilla, zorillo, dim. of zorra, zorro, a fox: cf. F. zorille.] (Zo["o]l.) Either one of two species of small African carnivores of the genus {Ictonyx} allied to the weasels and skunks. [Written also {zoril}, and {zorille}.] [1913 Webster]

Note: The best-known species ({Ictonyx zorilla}) has black shiny fur with white bands and spots. It has anal glands which produce a very offensive secretion, similar to that of the skunk. It feeds upon birds and their eggs and upon small mammals, and is often very destructive to poultry. It is sometimes tamed by the natives, and kept to destroy rats and mice. Called also {mariput}, {Cape polecat}, and {African polecat}. The name is sometimes erroneously applied to the American skunk. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • cape polecat — noun Usage: usually capitalized C Etymology: from Cape of Good Hope : muishond …   Useful english dictionary

  • polecat — Synonyms and related words: Cape polecat, animal, ape, bar, bear, beast, cavy, chimp, chimpanzee, coon, cur, dog, ferret, foumart, glutton, groundhog, guinea pig, hedgehog, hound, hyena, insect, mongrel, monk, monkey, mousehound, opossum, pig,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • polecat — /pohl kat /, n., pl. polecats, (esp. collectively) polecat. 1. a European mammal, Mustela putorius, of the weasel family, having a blackish fur and ejecting a fetid fluid when attacked or disturbed. Cf. ferret1 (def. 1). 2. any of various North… …   Universalium

  • African polecat — Zorilla o*ril la, n. [Sp. zorilla, zorillo, dim. of zorra, zorro, a fox: cf. F. zorille.] (Zo[ o]l.) Either one of two species of small African carnivores of the genus {Ictonyx} allied to the weasels and skunks. [Written also {zoril}, and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • European polecat — This article is about a species of mammal referred to as polecat . For other uses, see Polecat (disambiguation). European polecat Temporal range: Middle Pleistocene – Recent Welsh polecat (Mustela p. anglia) at the British Wildlife Centre,… …   Wikipedia

  • Steppe polecat — Illustration from a Hungarian postage stamp Conservation status …   Wikipedia

  • Marbled polecat — Adult marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna) Conservation status …   Wikipedia

  • zorille — or zoril [zôr′il, zär′il] n. 〚Fr zorille < Sp zorilla, zorillo, dim. of zorra, zorro, fox〛 a small, striped, black and white, musteline carnivore (Ictonyx striatus) of the drier parts of Africa: it looks and smells like the skunk * * * zor·ille… …   Universalium

  • Ictonyx zorilla — Zorilla o*ril la, n. [Sp. zorilla, zorillo, dim. of zorra, zorro, a fox: cf. F. zorille.] (Zo[ o]l.) Either one of two species of small African carnivores of the genus {Ictonyx} allied to the weasels and skunks. [Written also {zoril}, and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • mariput — Zorilla o*ril la, n. [Sp. zorilla, zorillo, dim. of zorra, zorro, a fox: cf. F. zorille.] (Zo[ o]l.) Either one of two species of small African carnivores of the genus {Ictonyx} allied to the weasels and skunks. [Written also {zoril}, and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”