marten
marten Any of several species of carnivorous mammals of the weasel family that live in forested areas of Europe, Asia and North and South America. They have a long body and short legs and are hunted for their fur. The skins of the sable, Martes zibellina, are the most valuable. Family Mustelidae.
marten
mar·ten / ˈmärtn/ • n. a chiefly arboreal mammal (genus Martes) of the weasel family found in Eurasia and North America, hunted for its fur in many northern countries.
marten
marten fur-bearing animal, † orig. the fur itself. XV. Early forms martren, martro(u)n — MDu. martren — OF. martrine marten fur, sb. use of martrin, f. martre — WGmc. *marþr- (OHG. mardar, G. marder), ext. form of Gmc. *marþuz (OE. mearǫ, ON. mǫrðr).
More From encyclopedia.com
About this article
marten
All Sources -
NEARBY TERMS
marten