A small carnivorous mammal with valuable dark fur, or the luxurious fur obtained from this animal.
From Old French 'sable,' ultimately from Slavic languages (Russian 'sobólĭ'). Entered English in the 14th century through the fur trade. The heraldic use meaning 'black' developed because sable fur was the darkest natural fur available to medieval Europeans.
Sable fur was so precious in medieval times that it was reserved for royalty and the highest nobility - a single sable pelt could cost more than a craftsman's annual wages. The animal's name became synonymous with the ultimate in luxury, making 'sable' a byword for expensive elegance even today.
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