chinchilla

[ chin-chil-uh ]

noun

1. a small, South American rodent, Chinchilla laniger, raised for its soft, silvery gray fur: now rare in the wild.
2. the fur of this animal.
3. something, as a coat or jacket, made of chinchilla fur:

   a floor-length chinchilla.

4. a thick, napped, woolen fabric for coats.

chinchilla

/ tʃɪnˈtʃɪlə /

noun

1. a small gregarious hystricomorph rodent, Chinchilla laniger, inhabiting mountainous regions of South America: family Chinchillidae. It has a stocky body and is bred in captivity for its soft silvery grey fur
2. the highly valued fur of this animal
3. mountain chinchilla or mountain viscacha
   any of several long-tailed rodents of the genus Lagidium, having coarse poor quality fur
4. a breed of rabbit with soft silver-grey fur
5. a thick napped woollen cloth used for coats

Word History and Origins

Origin of chinchilla¹

1595–1605; < Spanish, perhaps, equivalent to chinche chinch + -illa < Latin -illa diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of chinchilla¹

C17: from Spanish, perhaps from Aymara

Example Sentences

Ethel, that gray is too sweet for anything; it would just match your chinchilla furs perfectly!

From Project Gutenberg

The Chinchilla (C. lanigera) inhabits the cold mountain-valleys, where his close, fine gray fur is an invaluable protection.

From Project Gutenberg

"The lady is wearing rose-colored cloth and chinchilla," replied Martha Mary literally.

From Project Gutenberg

She wore a gray cape with a chinchilla collar made out of Amy's old muff.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Chinchilla was not a lovely lady, with a dress of soft gray cloth and a great chinchilla muff and boa.

From Project Gutenberg