sable1
/
ˈseɪb(ə)l/
n.
a marten with a short tail and dark brown fur, native to Japan and Siberia.
[
Martes zibellina.]
▸the fur of the sable.
Etymology
ME: from OFr., in the sense ‘sable fur’, from med. L. sabelum, of Slavic origin.
sable2
/
ˈseɪb(ə)l/
adj.
literary or
Heraldry black.
n.
- literary or Heraldry black.
▸
(sables)
archaic mourning garments.
-
(also sable antelope)
a large African antelope with long curved horns, the male of which has a black coat and the female a russet coat.
[Hippotragus niger.]
Etymology
ME: from OFr. (as a heraldic term), generally taken to be identical with sable1, although sable fur is dark brown.
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