ˌməˈsteləˌdē noun plural
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, from Mustela, type genus + -idae
: a large widely distributed family (superfamily Arctoidea) of rather small lithe active carnivorous mammals including many important furbearers (as the mink, fisher, and otter) and some destructive predators (as the weasels and polecats) and varying greatly in appearance and habits from the tiniest slender bloodthirsty weasel to the relatively large stocky slow-moving skunk or the burly wolverine