alpaca

Definition

A sheep-like domesticated animal of the Andes, Vicugna pacos, in the camel family, closely related to the llama, guanaco, and vicuña.

Etymology

Borrowed from Spanish alpaca, from Aymara allpaqa.

Example Sentences

• "Away from the village, there was an enclosure containing several large animals of a kind I had not seen before—shaggy, long-necked, small-headed creatures who stood or lay at ease around their pen. Alpacas?"
• "A lady in frayed alpaca, carrying a house-flannel, came to hearken."
• "The dress was at the bottom, — it was an alpaca, of a pretty shade in blue, bedecked with lace and ribbons, as is the fashion of the hour, and lined with sea-green silk."