FITCHEW Meaning and
Definition
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Fitchew is a noun that refers to a small carnivorous mammal belonging to the Mustelidae family and the genus Vormela. It is also commonly known as a polecat or European polecat. The name "fitchew" is derived from the Middle English "ficheux" or "ficchio," which originated from Anglo-Norman and Old English terms.
A fitchew typically has a long, slender body, short legs, and a bushy tail. Its fur is predominantly brown, with darker shades on the back and lighter shades on the underside. In terms of size, it is larger than a domestic ferret but smaller than a mink. Fitchews are native to Western Europe and parts of Asia, and their habitat ranges from woodlands to open fields and farmlands.
This mammal is primarily nocturnal, meaning it is most active during the night. Its diet mainly consists of small mammals, birds, eggs, reptiles, and insects. Like other members of the Mustelidae family, fitchews possess anal scent glands that they use for marking their territories and in defense. These glands produce a pungent odor, which can be sprayed when the fitchew feels threatened or attacked.
Historically, fitchews were hunted for their fur, which was valued for its softness and thickness. However, due to overhunting and habitat loss, the population of fitchews has declined in recent decades, leading to their classification as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List.
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Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for FITCHEW
- citchew
- vitchew
- gitchew
- titchew
- ritchew
- futchew
- fjtchew
- fktchew
- fotchew
- f9tchew
- f8tchew
- firchew
- fifchew
- figchew
- fiychew
- fi6chew
- fi5chew
- fitxhew
- fitvhew
- fitrchew
Etymology of FITCHEW
The word "fitchew" comes from Middle English "ficheux" or "fichew", which originated from Old French "ficheor" or "fichiere". It was used to refer to a polecat or a weasel-like animal, particularly the European polecat or Mustela putorius. The word's origin is uncertain, but it is thought to derive from the Old French word "fiche", meaning "skewer" or "needle", possibly alluding to the polecat's slender shape. Over time, the meaning of "fitchew" slightly shifted and came to represent a loose woman or prostitute, particularly in Shakespearean literature.
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