A small carnivorous animal with dark, silky fur that lives near water; also the expensive fur used to make coats.
From Scandinavian languages (Swedish 'mink'), the animal's name entered English through trade, and the fur became associated with luxury and wealth.
Mink coats became a status symbol in the 20th century, but fashion changed when people learned about the animal cruelty in fur farming—now synthetic furs can mimic the look without the ethics problem!
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