Weasel

Definitions

1. Any of the carnivorous mammals of the genera Mustela, Neogale, Poecilogale, and Lyncodon, having a slender body, a long tail and usually a light brown upper coat and light-coloured belly.
2. A least weasel (Mustela nivalis).
3. Any of certain other species of the family Mustelidae.
4. A devious or sneaky person or animal.
   derogatory, informal
5. A type of yarn winder used for counting the yardage of handspun yarn. It most commonly has a wooden peg or dowel that pops up from the gearing mechanism after a certain number of yards have been wound onto the winder.

Equivalents

Examples

“An old traditional prescription for provoking erotic inclinations ran as follows, The toe of the foot of a man, anointed with oil, or honey, or the ashes of a weasel.”

“Once you've gone beyond the scripted speeches, soundbites and cliches, you'll notice⟳ how the debate⟳ about leadership is primarily divided between the three governors and two senators, the other two weasels, Donald Trump and Ben Carson notwithstanding.”

CEFR level