I. ˈsābəl noun
( -s ; see sense 2a )
Etymology: Middle English, sable (heraldic color, color, animal, and fur), from Middle French, from Old French (animal and fur), from Middle Low German sabel, from Middle High German zabel, zobel, from Old High German zobel, of Slavic origin; akin to Russian sobol' sable (animal and fur), Polish sobol; perhaps akin to Sanskrit śabara, śabala spotted — more at cerberus
1.
a. : the heraldic color black
b. : the color black
c. : black clothing worn as a sign of mourning — usually used in plural
2.
a. or plural sable
(1) : a carnivorous mammal ( Martes zibellina ) of northern Europe and parts of northern Asia that attains a length of about 18 inches exclusive of the tail, varies from yellowish to dark brown above with grayish markings on the face and tawny on the throat and underparts, and is one of the most valued of fur-bearing animals especially for its very dark skin
(2) : any of various related animals ; especially : pine marten
b.
(1) : the fur or pelt of a sable
(2) : a trimming or article of this fur
she wore her sables with a tailored suit
— usually used in plural
3. or sable's hair pencil : an artist's brush of sable hair
4. : sable antelope
5.
a. : the color of the fur of the sable
b. : woodbark
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from sable, n.
1.
a. : of the heraldic color black — abbr. sa
b. : black in color : dressed in black : darkened as by night
down the sable flood we glided — Charlotte Brontë
c. of a dog : having a black-shaded outer coat over an undercoat of lighter color
2.
a. : sad , gloomy , dismal
b. : darkly mysterious or threatening
3. : satanic
his sable majesty