merino

[muh-ree-noh]

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noun, plural me·ri·nos.

(often initial capital letter) one of a breed of sheep, raised originally in Spain, valued for their fine wool.

wool from such sheep.

a yarn or fabric made from this wool.

adjective

made of merino wool, yarn, or cloth.

Origin of merino

1775–85; < Spanish < Arabic (banū) marīn a Berber tribe known for raising this breed

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for merino

fleece, fur, yarn, hair, cashmere, mohair, tweed, worsted, merino

Examples from the Web for merino

Contemporary Examples of merino

According to WWD, Altuzarra will design a collection in merino wool for the next stage of the competition.
Joseph Altuzarra Named U.S. Representative for International Woolmark Prize; L'Wren Scott Teams Up With Banana Republic
The Fashion Beast Team
July 10, 2013

Historical Examples of merino

These wools are suitable for almost all classes of Merino and crossbred yarns.
Textiles
William H. Dooley
On account of the climate, the quality of the wool, much of it merino, is excellent.
Commercial Geography
Jacques W. Redway
He was one of those who brought with them merino sheep into the colony.
The Fixed Period
Anthony Trollope
Merino is related to mayor, which comes, through French, from Lat.
The Romance of Words (4th ed.)
Ernest Weekley
It is only on the hot plains that the merino sheep flourishes to perfection.
Peeps At Many Lands: Australia
Frank Fox

British Dictionary definitions for merino

merino

noun plural -nos

a breed of sheep, originating in Spain, bred for their fleece

the long fine wool of this sheep

the yarn made from this wool, often mixed with cotton

pure merino Australian informal

historya free settler rather than a convict
an affluent and socially prominent person
(as modifier)a pure merino cricketer

adjective

made from merino wool

Word Origin for merino

C18: from Spanish, origin uncertain

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

Word Origin and History for merino

fine-wool breed of sheep, 1781, from Spanish merino, possibly from Arabic Merini, a Berber family or tribe of sheep farmers in northwest Africa whose animals were imported into Spain 14c.-15c. to improve local breeds. Or from or influenced by Latin majorinus, from major "greater," either in reference to size of the animals or from Spanish derivative merino (n.) "overseer of cattle pastures," also a title of judicial officers. Applied from early 19c. to the wool itself and to various articles made from it.