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zorille

zorille


  1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Zorilla  \Zo*ril"la\,  n.  [Sp.  zorilla,  zorillo,  dim.  of  zorra 
  zorro  a  fox:  cf  F.  zorille.]  (Zo["o]l.) 
  Either  one  of  two  species  of  small  African  carnivores  of  the 
  genus  {Ictonyx}  allied  to  the  weasels  and  skunks.  [Written 
  also  {zoril},  and  {zorille}.] 
 
  Note:  The  best-known  species  ({Ictonyx  zorilla})  has  black 
  shiny  fur  with  white  bands  and  spots.  It  has  anal 
  glands  which  produce  a  very  offensive  secretion, 
  similar  to  that  of  the  skunk.  It  feeds  upon  birds  and 
  their  eggs  and  upon  small  mammals,  and  is  often  very 
  destructive  to  poultry.  It  is  sometimes  tamed  by  the 
  natives,  and  kept  to  destroy  rats  and  mice.  Called  also 
  {mariput},  {Cape  polecat},  and  {African  polecat}.  The 
  name  is  sometimes  erroneously  applied  to  the  American 
  skunk.