noil

[ noil ]

/ nɔɪl /

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Definition of noil

noun

a short fiber of cotton, wool, worsted, etc., separated from the long fibers in combing.

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Origin of noil

First recorded in 1615–25; origin uncertain

OTHER WORDS FROM noil

noily, adjective

Words nearby noil

nohow, NOI, -noia, n.o.i.b.n., no ifs or buts, noil, nointer, noir, no-iron, noise, noise factor

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use noil in a sentence

The short fiber obtained in combing long staple wool is called "noil."
Textiles and Clothing|Kate Heintz Watson
An increased yield and better quality of top, owing to the absence of broken fiber, and consequent diminution of noil and waste.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 586, March 26, 1887|Various
There was a good deal of waste in this combing, that is, large clumps of tangled wool called noil were combed out.
Home Life in Colonial Days|Alice Morse Earle
Some of the noil collected by the combing process is composed of a large percentage of short mohair.
Practical Angora Goat Raising|C. P. Bailey

The lower grade noil is sold to carpet manufacturers and various users of low grade stuff.
Practical Angora Goat Raising|C. P. Bailey

British Dictionary definitions for noil

noil

/ (nɔɪl) /

noun

textiles the short or knotted fibres that are separated from the long fibres, or staple, by combing

Word Origin for noil

C17: of unknown origin

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