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miniver

or min·e·ver

[min-uh-ver]
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noun
  1. (in the Middle Ages) a fur of white or spotted white and gray used for linings and trimmings.Compare vair(def 1).
  2. any white fur, particularly that of the ermine, used especially on robes of state.
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Origin of miniver

1250–1300; Middle English meniver < Middle French menu vair small vair; see menu
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for miniver

Historical Examples

  • A rich cloak of fur turned up with miniver drooped from his shoulders.

    Sir Nigel

    Arthur Conan Doyle

  • The sleeves are of black velvet; the hoods are of miniver, and are passed on from Proctor to Proctor.

  • "Thousands of women have married merely for freedom," said Miss Miniver.

    Ann Veronica

    H. G. Wells

  • Ann Veronica came in with a certain disregard of Miss Miniver.

    Ann Veronica

    H. G. Wells

  • Miss Miniver looked over her glasses at her friend almost balefully.

    Ann Veronica

    H. G. Wells

British Dictionary definitions for miniver

miniver

noun
  1. white fur, used in ceremonial costumes
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Word Origin

C13: from Old French menu vair, from menu small + vair variegated fur, vair
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for miniver

n.

fur lining and trimming in a garment, c.1300, from Old French menu vair "minor fur;" see menu + vair.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper