sable

adj

Etymology: Attested since 1275, from Middle English sable, from Old French sable and martre sable (“sable marten”), in reference to the animal or its fur; from Medieval Latin sabelum, from Middle Low German sabel (compare Middle Dutch sabel, Middle High German zobel, whence German Zobel); ultimately from a Slavic word (compare Russian со́боль (sóbolʹ), Polish soból, Czech sobol). Compare also Middle Persian smwl (*samōr).

1. Sable-coloured, black.

   “When I behold the violet past prime, And sable curls all silver'd o'er with white”

   “Night, sable goddess! from her ebon throne, / In rayless majesty, now stretches forth / Her leaden sceptre o'er a slumbering world.”

2. In blazon, of the colour black.
3. Made of sable fur.
4. Dark, somber.

   “She turned and waved a hand to him, she cried a word, but he didn't hear it, it was a lost word. A sable wraith she was in the parkland, fading away into the dolorous crypt of winter.”

5. Dark-skinned; Black.

   “Some of the sable females, who formerly stood aloof, now began to relax and appear less coy; but my heart was still fixed on London, where I hoped to be ere long.”

   “Ethnologists are in the wrong / About our sable brothers[.]”

name

1. A surname.

noun

Etymology: Attested since 1275, from Middle English sable, from Old French sable and martre sable (“sable marten”), in reference to the animal or its fur; from Medieval Latin sabelum, from Middle Low German sabel (compare Middle Dutch sabel, Middle High German zobel, whence German Zobel); ultimately from a Slavic word (compare Russian со́боль (sóbolʹ), Polish soból, Czech sobol). Compare also Middle Persian smwl (*samōr).

1. A small carnivorous mammal of the Old World that resembles a weasel, Martes zibellina, from cold regions in Eurasia and the North Pacific islands, valued for its dark brown fur.
2. Any other marten, especially Martes americana (syn. Mustela americana).
3. A pelt of fur of a sable or of one of another species of martens; a coat made from this fur.

   “"Ye must avenge my sister's son's death; I will sables and martins bestow."”

   “Lovers dallied upon divans spread with sables.”

4. An artist's brush made from the fur of the sable, the kolinsky sable-hair brush.
5. A black colour on a coat of arms.
6. A dark brown colour, resembling the fur of some sables.
7. Black garments, especially worn in mourning.

   “I ſee its Sables wove by Deſtiny.”

   “[…]a delighted shout from the children swung him toward the door again. His sister, Mrs. Gerard, stood there in carriage gown and sables, radiant with surprise. ¶ "Phil! You! Exactly like you, Philip, to come strolling in from the antipodes—dear fellow!" recovering from the fraternal embrace and holding both lapels of his coat in her gloved hands.”

8. The sablefish.