alpaca

alpaca Definition

al·paca (al pak′ə)

noun pl. -·pac′as or -·pac′a

a domesticated South American llama (Lama glama pacos) with valuable, long, silky, brown or black wool
its wool
a thin cloth woven from this wool, often mixed with other fibers
a glossy, generally black cloth of cotton or rayon, used for linings, suits, etc.

Etymology: Sp < Aymara allpaca

alpaca Usage Examples

Converse of object

sell: She sold 96 alpacas from females with calves, yearling females to geld males.

Adjective modifier

u.k.: Black: Plain Weave ( Image 1, Scarf d ) - 72 % silk noil, 28 % u.k. alpaca.
organic: Stone Check Detail ( Scarf b ) - 100 % Qoperfina ( certified organic cotton, organic alpaca and angelina copper ).

Modifies a noun

wool: Then, in the 19th century, the city benefited from the export of alpaca wool to Britain.
knitwear: Exclusive alpaca knitwear is sold at this the Head Office Studio and Shop in Hornby.
jumper: Its mail-order catalog and website are full of cozy alpaca jumpers, embroidered bags and pretty jewelry made using traditional skills.
breeding: Scarcity of alpacas and demand for their luxury fiber has kept alpaca breeding and sales strong around the world.
fleece: A Defra grant has helped Lincolnshire farmers set up the first alpaca fleece mill in the East Midlands.
yarn: I wonder if there is a yarn fairy anywhere who could turn my loft full of wool into alpaca yarn!

Noun used with modifier

baby: She crossed a disused railroad line tugging her cream-coloured, baby alpaca coat about her ankles.
quality: Spirit of the Andes Alpaca and pima cotton knitwear hand made using the highest quality alpaca and pima cotton from Peru.

Browse dictionary entries near alpaca