polecat

/ˌpoʊlˈkæt/

Other forms: polecats

Definitions of polecat

1. noun

   American musteline mammal typically ejecting an intensely malodorous fluid when startled; in some classifications put in a separate subfamily Mephitinae
   synonyms: skunk, wood pussy

   types:

   Mephitis mephitis, striped skunk

   most common and widespread North American skunk

   Mephitis macroura, hooded skunk

   of Mexico and southernmost parts of southwestern United States

   Conepatus leuconotus, badger skunk, hog-nosed skunk, hognosed skunk, rooter skunk

   large naked-muzzled skunk with white back and tail; of southwestern North America and Mexico

   Spilogale putorius, little spotted skunk, spotted skunk

   small skunk with a marbled black and white coat; of United States and Mexico

   type of:

   mustelid, musteline, musteline mammal

   fissiped fur-bearing carnivorous mammals
2. noun

   dark brown mustelid of woodlands of Eurasia that gives off an unpleasant odor when threatened
   synonyms: Mustela putorius, fitch, foulmart, foumart

   types:

   ferret

   domesticated albino variety of the European polecat bred for hunting rats and rabbits

   type of:

   mustelid, musteline, musteline mammal

   fissiped fur-bearing carnivorous mammals