weasel Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a person who is regarded as treacherous or sneaky
  2. noun small carnivorous mammal with short legs and elongated body and neck

WordNet

Wea"sel noun
Etymology
OE. wesele, AS. wesle; akin to D. wezel, G. wiesel, OHG. wisala, Icel. hreyivisla, Dan. väsel, Sw. vessla; of uncertain origin; cf. Gr. , , cat, weasel.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) Any one of various species of small carnivores belonging to the genus Putorius, as the ermine and ferret. They have a slender, elongated body, and are noted for the quickness of their movements and for their bloodthirsty habit in destroying poultry, rats, etc. The ermine and some other species are brown in summer, and turn white in winter; others are brown at all seasons.

Webster 1913