Sobol
/ˈsoʊ.bəl/noun
A sable, especially its valuable fur, or a variant name for the animal.
Did you know?Sable pelts were so valuable in medieval Eurasia that they functioned as tribute, diplomatic gifts, and symbols of elite status.
Etymological Timeline
Early Medieval Period
Proto-Slavic
*sъbolъ
“A sable or sable pelt; the deeper origin is uncertain, probably inherited or borrowed through northern Eurasian trade.”
11th–13th Century
Old Russian
соболь (sobolʹ)
“Sable, the dark-furred marten prized for its skin.”
13th–15th Century
Polish
soból
“Sable; a valuable fur-bearing animal.”
16th–17th Century
English
sobol
“A sable or sable fur, appearing as an uncommon English variant or loanword.”
Modern English
English
sobol
“An obsolete or rare term for sable, chiefly encountered in historical, zoological, or fur-trade contexts.”