sealskin, n. and a.
(ˈsiːlskɪn)
Forms: see seal n.1; formerly also seal's skin.
[f. seal n.1 + skin n.]
A. n.
1. a. The skin of any of the Fur Seals, prepared for use as a garment, for the covering of a box, etc.
| 1325–6 Ely Sacrist Rolls (1907) II. 55 In selisskymys empt. ad easdem [campanas]. 1398 in J. R. Boyle Hedon (1875) App. 107 Et soluti pro iiij. sele skynnes pro cooperturis, vij.d. 1511–12 Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot. IV. 201 The dichteyne of ane selk skyne. 1549 Compl. Scotl. vi. 60 Tentis..of selcht skynnis. 1594 Nashe Unfort. Trav. Wks. 1904 II. 316 His breast and his belly with seale skins they grated ouer. 1610 Althorp MS. in Simpkinson Washingtons (1860) App. 6, 3 hampers for the plate covered with sayle skinnes. 1631–2 Aberd. Acc. in Spalding Club Miscell. V. 149 For a trunk coverit with selches skyn. 1752 Rec. Elgin (1903) I. 464 Ilk dozen selch or salt watter otter skins ditto 1s. 1776 Adam Smith W.N. i. xi. I. 292 The price of raw hides is a good deal lower at present than it was a few years ago; owing probably to the taking off the duty upon seal skins. 1886 J. Ashby-Sterry Lazy Minstrel 45 A dainty young damsel is Pearl, Beclad in the softest of seal skin. |
b. Applied to textile fabrics imitating the appearance of sealskin.
| 1860 S. Jubb Shoddy-trade 53 Sealskins—These are a cloth made of mohair and other bright-haired materials. 1882 Caulfeild & Saward Dict. Needlework 442 Sealskin Cloth. The yarn used for this kind of cloth is the finest kind of Mohair. Ibid. 450 Silk Sealskin, is a very beautiful patent textile, composed of Tussar Silk, and made in imitation of Sealskin Fur. |
2. A garment made of sealskin.
| 1858 Queen Victoria Let. 27 Feb. in R. Fulford Dearest Child (1964) 62, I am so glad you find the sealskin comfortable; it is a nice warm thing. 1873 Spectator 8 Feb. 167 Ladies who pride themselves on their ‘seal-skins’, and who enjoy the comfort of them. |
B. adj. Made of sealskin.
| 1769 Falconer Dict. Marine (1780) L 1, The Indian's seal-skin jacket. 1837 Lockhart Scott (1839) VII. 187 A pleasant sight it was to see the gallant old gentleman in his seal-skin cap and short green jacket. 1880 H. W. Elliott Rep. Seal Isl. Alaska (1884) 80 Seal-skin sacques. |
Hence ˈsealskinned a.
| 1599 Nashe Lenten Stuffe 66 His seale-skind riueld lippes. |