Isabelline (colour)

Isabelline (colour)

Isabelline ( /ɪzəˈbɛlɪn/), also known as Isabella, is a colour variously defined as pale grey-yellow, pale fawn, pale cream-brown or parchment. The word is used primarily to describe animal coat colouring, particularly plumage colour in birds and, in Europe, in horses. It also has historically been applied to fashion, with a handful of other uses. The first known record of the word was in 1600 as "Isabella colour"; this use later became interchangeable in literature with "Isabelline" after the latter was introduced into print in 1859. The origin of the word is unclear; the uncertainty prompted by this has generated several attempts to provide an etymology and led to one prominent legend.