merino

American  

[muh-ree-noh] / məˈri noʊ /

noun

merinos plural

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

2. wool from such sheep.

3. a yarn or fabric made from this wool.

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adjective

1. made of merino wool, yarn, or cloth.

merino British  

/ məˈriːnəʊ /

noun

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

2. the long fine wool of this sheep

3. the yarn made from this wool, often mixed with cotton

4. informal

   1. history a free settler rather than a convict

   2. an affluent and socially prominent person

   3. ( as modifier )

      a pure merino cricketer

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adjective

1. made from merino wool

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• merinos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of merino

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

Related Words

• cashmere
• fleece
• fur
• hair
• mohair
• tweed
• yarn