Wolverine

/ˌwʊlvəˈriːn/ noun

Definition

A strong, stocky wild animal related to weasels, known for its toughness and ability to hunt animals larger than itself. It lives in cold northern regions.

Etymology

From 'wolverene' or 'wolvering', likely based on 'wolf' plus a suffix, originally used in English for this animal. The exact path is uncertain, but the name suggests 'little wolf-like one.'

Kelly Says

Despite the name, wolverines aren’t wolves; they’re actually the largest land members of the weasel family. The name shows how humans often label new animals by resemblance to ones they already know.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.