mink

[ mingk ]

noun

, plural minks, (especially collectively) mink.

1. a semiaquatic weasellike animal of the genus Mustela, especially the North American M. vison.
2. the fur of this animal, brownish in the natural state and having lustrous outside hairs and a thick, soft undercoat.
3. a coat, stole, etc., made of this fur.

mink

/ mɪŋk /

noun

1. any of several semiaquatic musteline mammals of the genus Mustela, of Europe, Asia, and North America, having slightly webbed feet
2. the highly valued fur of these animals, esp that of the American mink ( M. vison )
3. a garment made of this, esp a woman's coat or stole

Word History and Origins

Origin of mink¹

1425–75; late Middle English, of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of mink¹

C15: from Scandinavian; compare Danish mink, Swedish mänk

Example Sentences

At Reagan’s 1985 balls, women left wearing someone else’s minks.

From Washington Post

Since doing the work published in Science, the team has been running models on new variants of the coronavirus, including the so-called UK mutation, the mink mutation from Denmark, and variants taken from South Africa, Singapore and Malaysia.

From MIT Technology Review

After the virus jumped from humans to minks in some places, it apparently mutated, and the altered virus has found its way back to humans.

From Ozy

A wild mink in Utah is the first wild animal found to be infected with the new coronavirus.

From Science News For Students

The country’s top epidemiologist warned at the time that the animals were highly efficient at spreading the coronavirus, and Frederiksen said Danish scientists were worried that the mutation found in the country’s mink could derail vaccine efforts.

From Fortune

This past January, the idea of MINK came to Choi—the concept, from thought to finished product, took roughly a month.

From The Daily Beast

One 1918 example, in wispy silk chiffon and lace is even trimmed in mink!

From The Daily Beast

His most expensive item was a $750,000 black diamond mink cape lined with 100,000 Austrian rhinestones.

From The Daily Beast

There are sheared mink jackets with trailing trains that have been laser-cut so the fur looks almost like lace.

From The Daily Beast

With supporters like Shirley Chisholm and Patsy Mink at the table, she proposed what would become Title IX.

From The Daily Beast

Wid dat, dey marks Brer Mink down, en he aint kin eat no mo' butter dat year.

From Project Gutenberg

Don't tell me you aint git dem fish, Brer Mink, 'kaze you know you is.'

From Project Gutenberg

“Good night, children,” said Mrs. Edes without turning her mink-crowned head.

From Project Gutenberg

It was not unlike the mink in form, but several times larger.

From Project Gutenberg

Might not this be a weasel, fox or mink that had sneaked upon her?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cloak
• frock
• jacket
• overcoat
• raincoat
• suit
• tuxedo
• windbreaker
• wrap