roan

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a soft sheepskin leather that is colored and finished to resemble morocco; used in bookbinding
  2. noun a horse having a brownish coat thickly sprinkled with white or gray
  3. adjective (used of especially horses) having a brownish coat thickly sprinkled with white or grey

Etymology

From Middle French roan, probably from Spanish roano, from Old Spanish raudano, itself probably of Germanic origin (compare Gothic *𐍂𐌰𐌿𐌳𐌰𐌽 (*raudan), accusative of 𐍂𐌰𐌿𐌸𐍃 (rauþs, “red”). Compare rowan.

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