noil

[noil]

noun

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

Origin of noil

First recorded in 1615–25; origin uncertain

Related formsnoil·y, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for noil

Historical Examples of noil

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
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

British Dictionary definitions for noil

noil

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

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