mink
[mingk]
- a semiaquatic weasellike animal of the genus Mustela, especially the North American M. vison.
- the fur of this animal, brownish in the natural state and having lustrous outside hairs and a thick, soft undercoat.
- a coat, stole, etc., made of this fur.
Origin of mink
1425–75; late Middle English, of uncertain origin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for mink
Contemporary Examples
This past January, the idea of MINK came to Choi—the concept, from thought to finished product, took roughly a month.
One 1918 example, in wispy silk chiffon and lace is even trimmed in mink!
How cold does it have to be to justify one of their mink dresses?
Historical Examples
I also told Aunt Belle to see about relining my mink cape and muff.
The Gorgeous GirlNalbro Bartley
Then he will return to the Great Lake and trap the marten and the mink.
The Gaunt Gray WolfDillon Wallace
Mink arose, but no sooner was he on his feet than his courage returned.
They of the High TrailsHamlin Garland
Mink is a dead shot, and probably wire-edged with whisky and expecting me.
They of the High TrailsHamlin Garland
Mink was not in sight, but the barkeeper stood rigidly on duty.
They of the High TrailsHamlin Garland
mink
- any of several semiaquatic musteline mammals of the genus Mustela, of Europe, Asia, and North America, having slightly webbed feet
- the highly valued fur of these animals, esp that of the American mink (M. vison)
- a garment made of this, esp a woman's coat or stole
Word Origin
C15: from Scandinavian; compare Danish mink, Swedish mänk
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for mink
n.
early 15c., "skin or fur of the mink," from a Scandinavian source (cf. Swedish menk "a stinking animal in Finland"). Applied in English to the animal itself from 1620s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper