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
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 Gregg, Ellery Clark
Red Ant—Lark's Quill feather for wings, cock Pheasant's herl from tail for body, red hackle for legs.
From The Teesdale Angler by Lakeland, R.
The tumult for herl Constant touch with the active, the gay!
From Gilian The Dreamer His Fancy, His Love and Adventure by Munro, Neil
Grey Drake,—wings from Mallard's back feather, black Cock's hackle underneath; body sky blue camlet ribbed with copper coloured Peacock's herl; tail from Squirrel.
From The Teesdale Angler by Lakeland, R.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
