polecat

• Nom masculin désignant un mammifère mustélidé au pelage brun foncé, vivant dans les forêts d'Eurasie, et connu pour dégager une odeur nauséabonde lorsqu'il est menacé.

A noun referring to a mustelid mammal, typically dark brown, found in woodlands of Eurasia, known for emitting an unpleasant odor when threatened.

1. American polecat (skunk)B2formalamericanscientific

   A North American mustelid mammal known for ejecting a strong-smelling fluid when threatened; often classified in the subfamily Mephitinae.

   mouffette

   • The polecat sprayed a foul odor when the hiker approached too closely.
   • Farmers often see polecats as pests because of their defensive spray.
   • The American polecat is more commonly known as a skunk.

   Synonymesskunk

2. European polecatB2formalbritishscientific

   A dark brown mustelid native to woodlands of Eurasia, which emits an unpleasant odor when threatened.

   Putois d'Europe

   • The European polecat is a nocturnal hunter found in forests and grasslands.
   • Polecats were once common across Britain but are now rarer.
   • The polecat's defensive smell is similar to that of a skunk.

   Synonymesfitchfoulmartfoumart