marten

views updated May 18 2018

marten Any of several species of carnivorous mammals of the weasel family that live in forested areas of Europe, Asia and North and South America. They have a long body and short legs and are hunted for their fur. The skins of the sable, Martes zibellina, are the most valuable. Family Mustelidae.

World Encyclopedia

marten

views updated May 17 2018

mar·ten / ˈmärtn/ • n. a chiefly arboreal mammal (genus Martes) of the weasel family found in Eurasia and North America, hunted for its fur in many northern countries.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

marten

views updated May 29 2018

marten fur-bearing animal, † orig. the fur itself. XV. Early forms martren, martro(u)n — MDu. martren — OF. martrine marten fur, sb. use of martrin, f. martre — WGmc. *marþr- (OHG. mardar, G. marder), ext. form of Gmc. *marþuz (OE. mearǫ, ON. mǫrðr).

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

marten

views updated May 21 2018

marten (Martes) See MUSTELIDAE.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

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