zibeline
(ˈzɪbəlɪn, -aɪn)
Forms: 6 zebelin, 7 -elline, 7 zibellin, -en, zubeline, 8 zebiline, 8– zibelin(e, (9 zibelline).
[ad. F. zibeline (also † zabelline, † zebeline, OF. sebelin), = It. zibellino, Sp. z-, cebellina, Pg. zebelina; Romanic deriv. of Slav. sobol: see sable n.1]
1. A small carnivorous quadruped, the sable, Mustela zibellina. Also attrib.
| 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. ii. xxiii. 62 Furres of martirs, Zebelins, Sables. 1654 tr. Martini's Conq. China 9 Garnished round with..skin three fingers broad, of Castor, or Zibellin. 1671 H. M. tr. Erasm. Colloq. 447 Clothed..in cloth of Gold and Silver in Zebelline and African furs. 1784 King Cook's Voy. Pacific vi. vi. 340 The common fox; the stoat, or ermine; the zibeline, or sable. 1808 E. Sleath Bristol Heiress I. 177 The zibelin from her haunts decoy'd; Or chas'd the ermine from his cell. 1844 Hugh Murray Trav. Marco Polo i. §23. 133 The inside is lined with skins of ermine and zibelline. |
2. The fur of the sable; sable.
| 1869 Daily News 7 Jan., Black velvet, trimmed all over with zibeline. 1889 Pop. Sci. Monthly May (1890) 34 In 1188 or thereabout no person was allowed to wear garments of vair, gray, zibeline, or scarlet color. |
3. (Also zibeline cloth.) A soft smooth woollen material with a slightly furry surface, used for women's dress. Also attrib.
| 1892 Daily News 17 Dec. 5/7 Blue-grey zibeline cloth... A Czarina jacket of almond-coloured zibeline. 1893 Lady 17 Aug. 172/2 The cloths coming in are mostly beavers, thick zibeline finished beavers for choice. 1909 W. J. Locke Septimus ix, It was Emma. He recognized the zibeline toque and coat. |