| marten | n. [ From older martern, marter, martre, F. martre, marte, LL. martures (pl.), fr. L. martes; akin to AS. mearð, meard, G. marder, OHG. mardar, Icel. mörðr. Cf. Foumart. ] 1. (Zool.) Any one of several fur-bearing carnivores of the genus Martes (formerly Mustela), closely allied to the sable. Among the more important species are the European beech marten or stone marten (Martes foina); the pine marten (Martes martes); and the American marten, or sable (Martes Americana), which some Zoologists consider only a variety of the Russian sable. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ] 2. The fur of the marten, used for hats, muffs, etc. [ 1913 Webster ] |
