underfur

[uhn-der-fur]

noun

1. the fine, soft, thick, hairy coat under the longer and coarser outer hair in certain animals, as seals, otters, and beavers.

underfur

/ ˈʌndəˌfɜː /

noun

1. Also called: undercoat. the layer of dense soft fur occurring beneath the outer coarser fur in certain mammals, such as the otter and seal

Word History and Origins

Origin of underfur¹

First recorded in 1875–80; under- + fur

Example Sentences

But beneath those, there’s a much thicker layer of underfur.

Read more on Washington Post

By the ’70s, he was able to help support his young family by selling raccoon pelts, which fetched $25 or more for their thick underfur.

Read more on Washington Post

Silver moved in a halo of light, for the sun sparkled on the guard hairs that grew out over the dense underfur and she seemed to glow.

Read more on Literature

We examine luxurious scarves made from the underfur of Tibetan antelopes, which can sell for $5,000, or more if embroidered.

Read more on Newsweek

Color: Darker throughout, especially on dorsal surface due to more black of the underfur; underparts deeper buff.

Read more on Project Gutenberg