noun
marten
MAR-tun/ˈmɑːrtn/
A small, agile mammal related to weasels, with soft, thick fur.
A marten climbs the tree with quick, graceful movements.
Etymology
The Old French ancestor named marten fur, and the English word first referred to the animal’s skin or fur. It later named the animal itself; its ultimate origin is unknown.
In context
the pine marten is an omnivore over a third of its diet consists of fruit and mushrooms foraged from the forest floor
More examples
- We spot a marten disappearing into the forest.
- The marten's thick fur helps it stay warm.
- Martens hunt mice and other small animals.
Forms
marten · martens
Similar words
- sable
- A particular kind of marten, especially prized for its fur.
- mustelid
- A broader term covering martens, weasels, otters, and relatives.