Word Study
chinchilla
CIDE DICTIONARY
chinchilla, n. [Sp.].
- A small rodent (
Chinchilla lanigera ), of the size of a large squirrel, remarkable for its fine fur, which is very soft and of a pearly gray color. It is a native of Peru and Chili. [1913 Webster] - The fur of the chinchilla. [1913 Webster]
- A heavy, long-napped, tufted woolen cloth.
OXFORD DICTIONARY
chinchilla, n.
1 a any small rodent of the genus Chinchilla, native to S. America, having soft silver-grey fur and a bushy tail. b its highly valued fur.
2 a breed of cat or rabbit.
1 a any small rodent of the genus Chinchilla, native to S. America, having soft silver-grey fur and a bushy tail. b its highly valued fur.
2 a breed of cat or rabbit.
Etymology
Sp. prob. f. S. Amer. native name
For further exploring for "chinchilla" in Webster Dictionary Online