Etymograph

English

least weasel

From least + weasel, from the fact that it is the smallest member of its genus.

A compound of least + weasel

Proto-Germanic *laisistaz ‘smallest, least’

Old English lǣst ‘least’

Middle English leste ‘smallest, least’

English least

Proto-Indo-European *weys- ‘to ooze, stink’

Proto-Germanic *wisulǭ

Proto-West Germanic *wisulā

Old English weosule

Middle English wēsele ‘weasel, polecat’

English weasel

Today it means

noun The common weasel, little weasel, or simply weasel (Mustela nivalis), the smallest member of the weasel genus Mustela, native to Eurasia, North America, and North Africa.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / least weasel

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