vicuna

or vi·cu·ña

[ vahy-koo-nuh, -kyoo-, vi-, vi-koo-nyuh ]

noun

1. a wild South American ruminant, Vicugna vicugna, of the Andes, related to the guanaco but smaller, and yielding a soft, delicate wool: an endangered species, now increasing in numbers.
2. a fabric of this wool or of some substitute, usually twilled and finished with a soft nap.
3. a garment, especially an overcoat, of vicuna.

vicuña

/ vɪˈkjuːnə; vɪˈkuːnjə /

noun

1. a tawny-coloured cud-chewing Andean artiodactyl mammal, Vicugna vicugna, similar to the llama: family Camelidae
2. the fine light cloth made from the wool obtained from this animal

Word History and Origins

Origin of vicuna¹

1585–95; < Spanish vicuña < Quechua wik’uña

Word History and Origins

Origin of vicuna¹

C17: from Spanish vicuña, from Quechuan wikúña

Example Sentences

Vicuna—A soft twilled cloth similar to cheviot, made of the Andes vicuna, hence its name.

From Project Gutenberg

For weaving, the most valuable pieces are mohair taken from the angora and vicuna.

From Project Gutenberg

A frigid young lady sacrificed for her benefit an abominable vicuna coat which, she said, fitted Victoria like a glove.

From Project Gutenberg

The natives of Patagonia make up many robes of the guanaco and vicuna, dressing the skins and sewing them together with sinew.

From Project Gutenberg

The wild lama was called huanacus, or guanaco; and the wild pacos, vicuna, or vigogne.

From Project Gutenberg