Any one of several fur-bearing carnivores of the genus
Martes (formerly
Mustela), closely allied to the sable. Among the more important species are the European
beech marten or
stone marten (
Martes foina); the
pine marten (
Martes martes); and the
American marten, or
sable (
Martes Americana), which some Zoologists consider only a variety of the Russian sable.
(Zool.)