Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small wild Andean animal: A cud-chewing mammal native to the Andes mountains, similar to but smaller than the guanaco, valued for its fine, soft fleece.
   • A soft wool fabric: A luxurious textile made from the fleece of the vicuña animal.
   • The wool itself: The fine, soft fiber obtained from the vicuña.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Animal):
  • The vicuña is protected by law in Peru.
  • We saw a herd of vicuñas grazing on the high plateau.
• Noun (Fabric/Wool):
  • Her scarf was made of the finest vicuña.
  • Vicuña is one of the most expensive natural fibers in the world.

Advanced Usage

• "Vicuña wool": A common phrase specifying the fiber, though "vicuña" alone often carries this meaning.
  • The rarity of vicuña wool contributes to its high cost.
• Used attributively (as a noun modifier) to describe products made from the animal's fiber.
  • He owned a prized vicuña coat.

Variants and Related Words

• Vicuñas (n): The standard plural form.
  • Vicuñas live at very high altitudes.
• Guanaco (n): A closely related, larger South American camelid.
• Alpaca (n): Another domesticated South American camelid bred for its fiber.

Synonyms

• For the animal: Andean camelid (a broader categorical term).
• For the fabric/wool: luxury fiber, fine wool (general descriptive terms, not direct synonyms).

Notes

• The word "vicuña" is sometimes spelled with a tilde over the 'n' (vicuña) in English to reflect its Spanish origin, though the 'n' is also commonly accepted.
• Due to conservation efforts, the trade in vicuña wool is now strictly regulated.

Noun

1. small wild cud-chewing Andean animal similar to the guanaco but smaller; valued for its fleecy undercoat
2. a soft wool fabric made from the fleece of the vicuna
3. the wool of the vicuna