alpaca

[ al-pak-uh ]
/ ælˈpæk ə /

noun

a domesticated South American ruminant, Lama pacos, having long, soft, silky fleece, related to the llama and believed to be a variety of the guanaco.
the fleece of this animal.
a fabric or yarn made of it.
a glossy, commonly black woolen fabric with cotton warp.
a crepe fabric made of rayon and acetate yarn in imitation of alpaca wool cloth.

Origin of alpaca

1805–15; < Spanish < Aymara allpaqa

Example sentences from the Web for alpaca

British Dictionary definitions for alpaca (1 of 2)

alpaca 1
/ (ælˈpækə) /

noun

a domesticated cud-chewing artiodactyl mammal, Lama pacos, closely related to the llama and native to South America: family Camelidae. Its dark shaggy hair is a source of wool
the cloth made from the wool of this animal
a glossy fabric simulating this, used for linings, etc

Word Origin for alpaca

C18: via Spanish from Aymara allpaca

British Dictionary definitions for alpaca (2 of 2)

alpaca 2

sometimes alpacca

/ (ælˈpækə) /

noun

a type of nickel silver used in jewellery

Word Origin for alpaca

of uncertain origin