Definition of weasel

The root of the word "weasel" can be traced back to the Old English word "wæsel," which was used to describe various types of small mammals that belonged to the weasel family. The exact meaning of this word is not clear, and its origins are debated among linguists. Some theories suggest that "wæsel" could have come from a Germanic word "wailinga," which meant "to wail or whine." This interpretation could be related to the shrieking sound that weasels make when they are in distress. Another theory suggests that "wæsel" might have derived from the Old Norse word "viksel," which meant "to change or exchange." This theory proposes that the word may have been given to the weasel because it was a tricky and cunning animal that could easily steal food from other animals' nests. Whatever the origin, it's clear that the word "weasel" has evolved significantly over time. In Middle English, the word was spelled "wesel" and had several different meanings, including "a wretched person" and "a perfidious or treacherous person." Today, "weasel" is primarily used to describe a small, slender mammal that belongs to the weasel family.