mink
English
/mɪŋk/
noun
Definitions
- (plural mink or minks) Any of various semi-aquatic, carnivorous mammals in the Mustelinae subfamily, similar to weasels, with dark fur, native to Europe and America, of which two species in different genera are extant: the American mink (Neovison vison) and the European mink (Mustela lutreola).
- (plural mink) The fur or pelt of a mink, used to make apparel.
- (plural minks) An article of clothing made of mink.
- (Scotland) (plural minks) An individual with poor personal hygiene; a smelly person.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English mink (fur of the European mink) derived from Swedish mink, mänk menk (mink, a stinking animal in Finland).
Origin
Swedish
mink, mänk menk
Gloss
mink, a stinking animal in Finland
Timeline
Distribution of cognates by language
Geogrpahic distribution of cognates
Cognates and derived terms
- hound English
- minkhound English
- minkless English
- minklike English
- minkki Finnish
- minkkitarha Finnish
- minkkiturkki Finnish
- villiminkki Finnish
- Mink German
- mink Swedish
- mink, mänk menk Swedish
- ミンク Japanese
- mink Norwegian Nynorsk
- mink Middle English
- minc Irish
- mink Estonian
- mink Middle Low German
- 밍크 Korean