a domesticated South American ruminant, Lama pacos, having long, soft, silky fleece, related to the llama and believed to be a variety of the guanaco.
2.
the fleece of this animal.
3.
a fabric or yarn made of it.
4.
a glossy, commonly black woolen fabric with cotton warp.
5.
a crepe fabric made of rayon and acetate yarn in imitation of alpaca wool cloth.
Origin
1805-15; < Spanish < Aymaraallpaqa
Examples from the web for alpaca
The alpaca is shorter and they are softer to the touch.
If you're in the market for a big-ticket item, don't miss the alpaca stall.
The instrument has now been calibrated for measuring greasy mohair and has also been used to measure alpaca fiber.
British Dictionary definitions for alpaca
alpaca1
/ælˈpækə/
noun
1.
a domesticated cud-chewing artiodactyl mammal, Lama pacos, closely related to the llama and native to South America: family Camelidae. Its dark shaggy hair is a source of wool
2.
the cloth made from the wool of this animal
3.
a glossy fabric simulating this, used for linings, etc
Word Origin
C18: via Spanish from Aymara allpaca
alpaca2
/ælˈpækə/
noun
1.
a type of nickel silver used in jewellery
Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Word Origin and History for alpaca
n.
1792, from Spanish alpaca, probably from Aymara allpaca, related to Quechua p'ake "yellowish-red." The al- is perhaps from influence of Arabic definite article (see almond). Attested in English from 1753 in the form pacos.