miniver

or min·e·ver

[ min-uh-ver ]

/ ˈmɪn ə vər /

noun

(in the Middle Ages) a fur of white or spotted white and gray used for linings and trimmings.Compare vair(def 1).

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

Words nearby miniver

minitower, minitrack, minium, minivacuum, minivan, miniver, minivet, minié ball, mink, minke, minke whale

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for miniver

What she had expected to see the heir attired in, Mrs. Layne never afterwards settled with herself: perhaps purple and miniver.
Johnny Ludlow, Second Series|Mrs. Henry Wood
Miss Miniver followed with an expression of perplexity, her mouth shaped to futile expositions.
Ann Veronica|H. G. Wells
"Could not they fetch a few ermine and miniver skins while they are at it," suggested Priscilla.
Standish of Standish|Jane G. Austin
It is a common mistake to show the miniver turn-up without the velvet Cap above it, which is obviously absurd.
English Heraldic Book-stamps|Cyril Davenport

Later a kind of "spencer" jacket, or waistcoat, was worn, faced and bordered with miniver or other fur.
Chats on Costume|G. Woolliscroft Rhead

British Dictionary definitions for miniver

miniver

/ (ˈmɪnɪvə) /

noun

white fur, used in ceremonial costumes

Word Origin for miniver

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