DCHP-3

wolverine†

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

1an.

a large fur-bearing animal, Gulo luscus, of the northern forests and tundra, noted for its guile and craftiness.

Quotations

1743
Wolvereen's, or Quequahatches . . . are very Glomsay and Slow footed, and cou'd not have imagin'd they shou'd Kill Deer as they do, not by running them Downe, no! they Gett in a tree and as the Deer passes, they spring upon their back's, gett hold of their Neck and their hang and Suck their blood, tell the Deer trops [sic]. . . .
1872
The wolverine . . . often called "Indian Devil," is very rarely met with in the Maritime provinces of Canada.
1965
All the time I thought it was all hooey about wolverines robbing traps. . . .
1bn.

the valued fur of this animal.

Quotations

1749
These Skins in the Hudson's Bay Company Sales, are called Wolverins, and they are so named at the Factories.
1957
[Caption] Note the hood of wolverine . . . .
1cn.

the flesh of the wolverine used as food.

Quotations

1926
Having no fish we had foxes for supper and they certainly seemed exceptionally good with a little bit of flour added and warmed up in Wolverine fat.
1954
I supped off muscular chunks of wolverine and a thick mess of rolled oats and beans cooked in wolverine soup
2n.

in figurative uses, with reference to persons having crafty, destructive, or gluttonous characteristics.

Quotations

1923
"There now," she said, "you good-for-nothing wolverine, think of that."
1960
The jumble of sunniness and wolverine temper, affection and calculation that lies behind the expressionless smile of Jack Kent Cooke is headed for the United States.