[sa.ble] n, pl sables [ME, sable or its fur, the heraldic color black, black, fr. MF, sable or its fur, the heraldic color black, fr. MLG sabel sable or its fur, fr. MHG zobel, of Slav origin; akin to Russ sobol' sable or its fur] (14c) 1 a: the color black b: black clothing worn in mourning--usu. used in pl.
2. a or pl sable (1): a carnivorous mammal (Martes zibellina) of the weasel family that occurs chiefly in northern Asia (2): any of various animals related to the sable b: the fur or pelt of a sable 3 a: the usu. dark brown color of the fur of the sable b: a grayish yellowish brown
[2]sable adj (15c) 1: of the color black
2: dark, gloomy