tawny
UK: ˈtɔːni | US: ˈtɔːni
adj. of a light brown to brownish-orange color, often used to describe animal fur or natural landscapes
The word "tawny" originates from the Middle English tauny, derived from the Anglo-French tauné, meaning "tan-colored." This traces back to the Old French tané, past participle of taner ("to tan leather"), from tan ("oak bark used in tanning"). The connection to color stems from the brownish hues produced during the leather-tanning process. The suffix "-y" converts the root into an adjective, solidifying its modern meaning of a warm, earthy shade.
The lion's tawny coat blended perfectly with the savanna grasses.
She painted the sunset in strokes of tawny gold and crimson.
The old map had faded to a tawny yellow over the centuries.
His tawny boots matched the autumn leaves scattered on the trail.
The owl's tawny feathers provided excellent camouflage in the desert.