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fouine

stone marten, weasel-like animal

noun FWEEN Rare

Also means

nosy person (informal)

Usage Note

Fouine is the stone marten (Martes foina), a small, sharp-nosed predator related to the weasel. Colloquially, une fouine describes a nosy, sneaky person who pokes into other people's business — the verb fouiner means to pry or snoop. Avoir une tête de fouine ('to have a weasel face') is an unflattering expression.

Examples

"Une fouine s'est glissée dans le grenier."

Natural Translation

A stone marten slipped into the attic.

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