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Glite Dictionary
longtail weasel

longtail weasel

7.0
A small wild animal with a long body and a black-tipped tail that eats rats and mice
  • noun
  • /ˈlɔŋˌteɪl ˈwiːzəl/
  • US
translation icon : marta de cola larga
  • The longtail weasel is easily recognized by its black-tipped tail and slender body.

Examples

  • We spotted a longtail weasel darting through the underbrush near the creek.

  • Farmers appreciate the longtail weasel for its role in controlling rodent populations.

  • The longtail weasel is known for its agility.

  • Many people have seen a longtail weasel in the wild.

  • Farmers appreciate the longtail weasel for its role in controlling rodent populations.

  • The longtail weasel is easily recognized by its black-tipped tail and slender body.

  • We spotted a longtail weasel darting through the underbrush near the creek.

Synonyms

long-tailed weasel
vslongtail weasel
  • US
6.9

A small wild animal with a long black-tipped tail that eats mice and rats

is the common North American species name without a hyphen
Mustela frenata
vslongtail weasel
  • Specialized
9.9

A long American weasel with a tail that has a black tip

is the common English species name used in everyday contexts

Surface Forms

longtail weasel singular
longtail weasels plural

Morphology

longtail + weasel

The noun is compositionally transparent: it denotes a weasel characterized by a long tail (equivalent to 'long-tailed weasel'), so a B1 learner who knows 'long', 'tail', and 'weasel' can infer the meaning. This compound follows a common adjective/compound + noun pattern found across languages, making it immediately understandable from its parts.

Etymology

The noun longtail weasel comes from how the animal looks: the words long and tail point to its very long, black-tipped tail, so the name means 'a weasel with a long tail'.