Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words
Definition of Polecat - 5 dictionary results

pole⋅cat

  [pohl-kat]
Use Polecat in a Sentence
–noun, plural -cats, (especially collectively) -cat.
1. a European mammal, Mustela putorius, of the weasel family, having a blackish fur and ejecting a fetid fluid when attacked or disturbed. Compare ferret 1 (def. 1).
2. any of various North American skunks.
Origin:
1275–1325; ME polcat, perh. equiv. to MF pol, poul chicken (< L pullus) + cat1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Polecat
pole·cat   (pōl'kāt')   
n.  

    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.


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

    1. Any of several small, mostly carnivorous New World mammals of the genus Mephitis and related genera, having a bushy tail and black fur with white markings and ejecting a foul-smelling oily liquid from glands near the anus when frightened or in danger. Also called polecat.

    2. The glossy black and white fur of this mammal.

    3. A person regarded as obnoxious or despicable.

    4. A person whose company is avoided.

  2. Slang

    1. A person regarded as obnoxious or despicable.

    2. A person whose company is avoided.

tr.v.   skunked, skunk·ing, skunks Slang

  1. To defeat overwhelmingly, especially by keeping from scoring.

    1. To cheat (someone).

    2. To fail to pay (an amount due).


[Of Massachusett origin.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary
polecat

  1. n.
    a mean and deceitful person, usually male. (Folksy. Polecat is another U.S. word for skunk. See also skunk; stinker.) : Tell that polecat I want to talk to him.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

polecat 
1320, first element is probably Anglo-Fr. pol, from O.Fr. poule "fowl, hen," so called because it preys on poultry. The other alternative is that the first element is from O.Fr. pulent "stinking," for obvious reasons. Originally the European Putorius foetidus; also applied to related U.S. skunks since 1688.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see Polecat on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way