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wolverine

/ˈwʊlvəˌrin/
/wəlvəˈrin/
IPA guide

Other forms: wolverines

A wolverine is a strong little animal, the largest member of the weasel family. You're most likely to see a wolverine if you go hiking in Alaska. Although they’re cute, don’t try to pet one. They are not cuddly.

Wolverines are related to otters and badgers, but they're known as the fiercest weasels, able to fight and kill animals much larger than they are. Wolverines are dense and covered with shaggy fur, and because they resemble little bears — and mark their territories with a strong scent — they're sometimes called skunk bears. They weigh about 50 pounds. Wolverine was originally wolvering, which may come from the plural form of wolf, wolves, or possibly from wolver, "one who behaves like a wolf."

Definitions of wolverine
  1. noun
    stocky shaggy-coated North American carnivorous mammal
    see moresee less
    type of:
    mustelid, musteline, musteline mammal
    fissiped fur-bearing carnivorous mammals
  2. noun
    musteline mammal of northern Eurasia
    synonyms: Gulo gulo gulo, glutton
    see moresee less
    type of:
    mustelid, musteline, musteline mammal
    fissiped fur-bearing carnivorous mammals
Pronunciation
US
/ˈwʊlvəˌrin/
UK
/wəlvəˈrin/
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