Pelage
/ˈpɛl.ɪdʒ/noun
The coat, fur, or hair covering of an animal.
Did you know?Pelage comes through French from Latin *pilus* meaning “hair,” the same root behind *pile*, *pillow*, and *depilate*—all tied to the ancient idea of hair as something to be removed, packed, or handled as power.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
pilus
“hair, a single hair”
Late Latin
Latin
pilagium
“a hairy covering; fleece or coat”
Old French
Old French
pelage
“fur, coat of hair”
18th Century
French
pelage
“the coat or covering of an animal”
Modern English
English
pelage
“the coat, fur, or hair covering of an animal”