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chinchilla
chinchilla definition
chin·chilla (c̸hin c̸hil′ə)
noun
- a small rodent (Chinchilla laniger) found in the Andes, but bred extensively elsewhere for its fur
- the expensive, soft, pale-gray fur of this animal
- a variety of Persian cat, typically pure white
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
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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