lisle thread

a fine, high-twisted and hard-twisted cotton thread, at least two-ply, used for hosiery, gloves, etc.

Nearby words

First recorded in 1850–55

Also called lisle.

I couldn't buy a pair of lisle-thread gloves that were not made in Germany.
The Scrap Book, Volume 1, No. 1|Various
As he took her proffered hand, he raised the lisle-thread fingers to his lips with old-fashioned gallantry.
Openings in the Old Trail|Bret Harte
Lisle-thread gloves in midsummer, thick gloves in midwinter, are more comfortable for street wear than kid ones.
Our Deportment|John H. Young
The Lisle-thread gloves will last as long as the kid, and will be much better on the whole, because they will wash.
A New Atmosphere|Gail Hamilton

Mrs. Sieppe had on lisle-thread mits, and carried two bananas and an orange in a net reticule.
McTeague|Frank Norris