shorttail weasel

7.9

A small mammal that eats meat and turns white in winter

noun
/ˈʃɔrˌteɪl ˈwiːzəl/

: comadreja

The fur of the shorttail weasel turns pure white during winter, helping it blend into the snow.

Examples

Farmers appreciate the shorttail weasel for keeping the rodent population under control.
A shorttail weasel darted across the forest floor, its white coat barely visible against the snow.
The shorttail weasel is known for its agility.
I spotted a shorttail weasel in the snow.
Farmers appreciate the shorttail weasel for keeping the rodent population under control.
The fur of the shorttail weasel turns pure white during winter, helping it blend into the snow.
A shorttail weasel darted across the forest floor, its white coat barely visible against the snow.

Synonyms

stoat

vsshorttail weasel

2 8.8

A small brown animal related to the weasel that eats meat and has a black-tipped tail

is defined by its white winter coat rather than the summer colouring

ermine

vsshorttail weasel

1 8.1

A small weasel with white fur in winter

refers to the living animal rather than the fur used for trimming garments

Mustela erminea

vsshorttail weasel

Specialized

9.6

A small animal like a weasel that turns white in winter except for its black tail tip

is the common name rather than the scientific label

Surface Forms

shorttail weasel singular

shorttail weasels plural

Morphology

shorttail + weasel

The noun is compositionally transparent: 'shorttail' (short tail) modifies 'weasel', so a learner who knows 'short', 'tail' and 'weasel' can infer it refers to a weasel with a short tail. Although it denotes a specific species (ermine/stoat), the basic referential meaning is directly derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Shorttail weasel is a name for a small weasel with a short tail and a slim body that darts after mice. In winter its fur turns white, so people also call it 'ermine' or 'stoat', and that's why the name refers to a small hunting mammal that can be pure white in winter.