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Marten

(Science: zoology) a bird. See martin.

1. (Science: zoology) Any one of several fur-bearing carnivores of the genus Mustela, closely allied to the sable. Among the more important species are the European beech, or stone, marten (Mustela foina); the pine marten (M. Martes); and the American marten, or sable (M. Americana), which some zoologists consider only a variety of the Russian sable.

2. The fur of the marten, used for hats, muffs, etc.

Origin: From older martern, marter, martre, f. Martre, marte, LL. Martures (pl), fr. L. Martes; akin to as. Mear, meard, g. Marder, OHG. Mardar, Icel. Morr. Cf. Foumart.