noun

1. a small rodent (Chinchilla laniger) found in the Andes, but bred extensively elsewhere for its fur
2. the expensive, soft, pale-gray fur of this animal
3. a variety of Persian cat, typically pure white

4. Etymology: prob. after Chinchilla, Sp town where first made

   a heavy cloth of wool, or wool and cotton, with a tufted, napped surface, used for making overcoats

Etymology: Sp, prob. dim. of chinche: see chinch