/wee"zeuhl/ , n. , pl. weasels , ( esp. collectively ) weasel , v.
n.
1. any small carnivore of the genus Mustela, of the family Mustelidae, having a long, slender body and feeding chiefly on small rodents.
2. any of various similar animals of the family Mustelidae.
3. a cunning, sneaky person.
4. a tracked vehicle resembling a tractor, used in snow.
5. Slang. an informer; stool pigeon.
v.i.
6. to evade an obligation, duty, or the like; renege (often fol. by out ): That's one invitation I'd like to weasel out of.
7. to use weasel words; be ambiguous; mislead: Upon cross-examination the witness began to weasel.
8. Slang. to inform.
[ bef. 900; 1920-25 for def. 6; ME wesele, OE wesle, weosule; c. OHG wisula, G Wiesel ]