/ ˈmɑːtɪn; NAmE ˈmɑːrtn/ noun
a small wild animal with a long body, short legs and sharp teeth. Martens live in forests and eat smaller animals :
a pine marten
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (frequently in the plural, denoting the fur): from Old French (peau) martrine marten (fur), from martre , of West Germanic origin.