herl
Americannoun
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a barb of a feather, used especially in dressing anglers' flies.
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an artificial fly dressed with a herl.
noun
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the barb or barbs of a feather, used to dress fishing flies
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an artificial fly dressed with such barbs
Etymology
Origin of herl
1300–50; Middle English; cognate with Middle Low German herle, harle, Low German harl fibre, hair of flax or hemp
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
What did be think I coaid do jot herl We’re here to fight wildlings. not save them.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
Red Clock,—wings and legs red; Peacock's brown herl, and bright red silk for body.
From The Teesdale Angler by R. Lakeland
My next and sixth choice of dry fly would be the Brown Palmer, made on a size 12 long shank hook with a full body of peacock herl, and palmer hackle, wound not too full.
From How to Tie Flies by Ellery Clark Gregg
Little Black Ant—feather of a Bluecap's tail for wings, black Ostrich herl dressed small in the middle for body, brown hackle for legs.
From The Teesdale Angler by R. Lakeland
I do not hesitate to say that I have taken more trout, of all kinds, on a brown hackle with peacock herl body, than any of the other common wet fly patterns.
From How to Tie Flies by Ellery Clark Gregg
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
