MARTEN (2)

Mar″ten, 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. 1. (Zoöl.) 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 zoölogists consider only a variety of the Russian sable.
2. 2. The fur of the marten, used for hats, muffs, etc.