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sley

or slay, sleigh

[sley]
noun, plural sleys.
  1. the reed of a loom.
  2. the warp count in woven fabrics.
  3. British. the lay of a loom.
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verb (used with object)
  1. to draw (warp ends) through the heddle eyes of the harness or through the dents of the reed in accordance with a given plan for weaving a fabric.
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Origin of sley

before 1050; Middle English sleye, Old English slege weaver's reed; akin to Dutch slag, German Schlag, Old Norse slag, Gothic slahs a blow; see slay
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for sley

Historical Examples

  • The threads of the filling are beaten up by the reed, or sley, which is placed in the lay.

    Popular Technology, Vol. I (of 2)

    Edward Hazen

  • Her nerveless hands loosened their clasp upon the sley and it fell to the ground, clattering on the protruding roots of the trees.

    The Raid Of The Guerilla

    Charles Egbert Craddock (AKA Mary Noailles Murfree)

  • Wherfore they shall gather them selves together agaynst me & sley me/ and so shall I and my house be dystroyed.

  • Than sayde Iuda to his brethrẽ/ what avayleth it that we sley oure brother/ and kepe his bloude secrett?