alp2 (alp)

[Sing. from pl. alps, The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia: Dictionary IMG:content-0559.png:[blocks in formation] A mammal, the Auchenia pacos, a native of the Andes, especially of the mountains of Chili and Peru. It is so closely allied to the llama that by some it is regarded rather as a smaller variety than as a distinct species. It has been domesticated, and remains also in a wild state. In form and size it approaches the sheep, but has a longer neck. It is valued chiefly for its long, soft, and silky wool, which is straighter than that of the sheep, and very strong. The fiber is small, very soft, pliable, and elastic, and is woven into fabrics of great beauty. The animal's flesh is wholesome. 2. A fabric manufactured from the hair or wool of the alpaca, either wholly or in part, or made in imitation of this, used for clothing in warm climates, for coat-linings, and very largely for umbrellas. The material sold under the name of alpaca for women's dre es and other clothing contains now little if any alpaca-wool; it is a fabric of cotton and wool, with a hard and somewhat shining surface, generally, though not always, dyed black. alpent (al'pen), a. [For alpine, prob. after G. alpen, as below.] Of or pertaining to the Alps; alpine: as, "the Alpen snow," J. Fletcher. alpenglow (al'pen-glo), n. [ fore daybreak; the last or first rays of the sun IMG:content-0560.png:[ocr errors] among the Alps, casting an effect sometimes heightened by a certain amount of humidity in the atmosphere. The evening alpen - glow was very fine. Tyndall, Frag. of Science, p. 282.