heddle

American  

[hed-l] / ˈhɛd l /

noun

1. one of the sets of vertical cords or wires in a loom, forming the principal part of the harness that guides the warp threads.

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heddle British  

/ ˈhɛdəl /

noun

1. one of a set of frames of vertical wires on a loom, each wire having an eye through which a warp thread can be passed

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Etymology

Origin of heddle

1505–15; perhaps representing Old English *hefedl, a metathetic variant of hefeld ( Middle English helde, ModE heald ), cognate with Old Saxon hevild; akin to Old Norse hafald

Example Sentences

Holding a heddle rod to separate the warp threads, she draws the continuous horizontal weft thread in and out of one or more warp threads.

From Scientific American • Sep. 15, 2022

The opposite, or drawing in from front to rear, is used occasionally, however, and in this case makes the first heddle on the left hand side of the front shaft No. 1.

From Theory of Silk Weaving A Treatise on the Construction and Application of Weaves, and the Decomposition and Calculation of Broad and Narrow, Plain, Novelty and Jacquard Silk Fabrics by Wolfensberger, Arnold

James and Patrick Clark, in desperation, attempted to substitute cotton for silk in their manufacture of these heddle strings.

From The Invention of the Sewing Machine by Cooper, Grace Rogers

IX., and although the details of the illustration are not clear the text indicates the existence of one heddle: “The warp is decussated by means of a horizontal rod and leashes.”

From Ancient Egyptian and Greek Looms by Roth, H. Ling (Henry Ling)

The Greek loom may have been furnished with a heddle but the drawings are not clear on this point.

From Ancient Egyptian and Greek Looms by Roth, H. Ling (Henry Ling)