mustela furo

1 definition found

mustela furo - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Ferret \Fer"ret\, n. [F. furet, cf. LL. furo; prob. fr. L. fur
     thief (cf. Furtive); cf. Arm. fur wise, sly.] (Zool.)
     An animal of the Weasel family (Mustela furo syn. Putorius furo
     ), about fourteen inches in length, of a pale yellow or
     white color, with red eyes. It is a native of Africa, but has
     been domesticated in Europe. Ferrets are used to drive
     rabbits and rats out of their holes. They are sometimes kept
     as pets.
     [1913 Webster +PJC]