Question

mohair noun "Mohair" entered the English language in the 16th century, spelled variously as "mocayare," "mockaire," "mokayre," and "moochary." It was borrowed from Italian "mocaiarro," a word which itself was borrowed from Arabic "mukhayyar." The adjective "mukhayyar" meant "select" or "choice." How this Arabic adjective came to be the English noun "mohair" is a bit of a mystery. It is possible that "mukhayyar" was used as a colloquial noun in the sense of "wool of prime quality" (that is, "choice wool"). In English, the shift from "mocayare" and similar spellings to "mohair" was likely influenced by the more familiar English word "hair." : a fabric or yarn made wholly or in part of the long silky hair of the Angora goat; also : this hair

Accepted Answer

July 28, 2009 MOH-hair This year's product line includes coats and sweaters made from mohair produced in Texas.

Word	mohair
Date	July 28, 2009
Type	noun
Syllables	MOH-hair
Etymology	"Mohair" entered the English language in the 16th century, spelled variously as "mocayare," "mockaire," "mokayre," and "moochary." It was borrowed from Italian "mocaiarro," a word which itself was borrowed from Arabic "mukhayyar." The adjective "mukhayyar" meant "select" or "choice." How this Arabic adjective came to be the English noun "mohair" is a bit of a mystery. It is possible that "mukhayyar" was used as a colloquial noun in the sense of "wool of prime quality" (that is, "choice wool"). In English, the shift from "mocayare" and similar spellings to "mohair" was likely influenced by the more familiar English word "hair."
Examples	This year's product line includes coats and sweaters made from mohair produced in Texas.
Definition	: a fabric or yarn made wholly or in part of the long silky hair of the Angora goat; also : this hair

Noun Mohair English Borrowed Word Arabic Adjective Mukhayyar