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kier

American  
[keer] / kɪər /
Or keir

noun

  1. a large vat in which fibers, yarns, or fabrics are boiled, bleached, or dyed.


kier British  
/ kɪə /

noun

  1. a vat in which cloth is bleached

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of kier

First recorded in 1565–75, kier is from the Old Norse word ker vessel, vat

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.

The kier is from 10 to 12 ft. in height and from 6 to 7 ft. in diameter, and stands on three iron legs riveted to the sides, but not shown in the figure.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 1 "Bisharin" to "Bohea" by Various

The length of boil is usually about twelve hours in a low-pressure kier; in a high-pressure kier about seven hours is sufficient.

From The Dyeing of Cotton Fabrics A Practical Handbook for the Dyer and Student by Beech, Franklin

The following is the sequence of operations:—The goods are first steeped over night in 53 dilute sulphuric acid, after which they are washed and run through old kier liquor from a previous operation.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 1 "Bisharin" to "Bohea" by Various

They are then sewn together end to end, and subjected to the following operations:— Boil with lime in kier.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 1 "Bisharin" to "Bohea" by Various

Of the numerous forms of kier in use, the injector kier is the one most generally adopted.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 1 "Bisharin" to "Bohea" by Various