sable

/ˈseɪbəl/

/ˈseɪbəl/

Other forms: sables

Sable is a fluffy little animal known for its silky dark brown fur. It’s native to Japan, Siberia, and other parts of northern Asia. You may meet up with a sable in a zoo or as somebody's expensive coat.

Sable is a kind of marten — the same family as skunks, wolverines, and minks. The scientific name is Martes zibellina. The word sable, from Russian, likely came into Western European languages in the Middle Ages, when trappers traveled far and wide in search of furry creatures whose skins were worthy to warm the backs of emperors, kings, queens, and Byzantine priests. Sable can also mean "dark black," or it can refer to the hairs of an artist's paintbrush.

Definitions of sable

1. noun

   marten of northern Asian forests having luxuriant dark brown fur
   synonyms: Martes zibellina

   type of:

   marten, marten cat

   agile slender-bodied arboreal mustelids somewhat larger than weasels
2. noun

   the expensive dark brown fur of the marten
   type of:

   fur, pelt

   the dressed hairy coat of a mammal
3. noun

   a scarf (or trimming) made of sable
   type of:

   scarf

   a garment worn around the head or neck or shoulders for warmth or decoration
4. noun

   an artist's brush made of sable hairs
   synonyms: sable brush, sable's hair pencil

   types:

   rigger, rigger brush

   a long slender pointed sable brush used by artists

   type of:

   brush

   an implement that has hairs or bristles firmly set into a handle
5. noun

   a very dark black
   synonyms: coal black, ebony, jet black, pitch black, soot black

   type of:

   black, blackness, inkiness

   the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
6. adjective

   of a dark somewhat brownish black
   synonyms:

   achromatic, neutral

   having no hue