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definitions

sley

or slay, sleigh

[ sley ]
/ sleɪ /
|

noun, plural sleys.

the reed of a loom.
the warp count in woven fabrics.
British. the lay of a loom.

verb (used with object)

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.

Nearby words

sleuthhound, sleuthing, slew, slew rate, slewed, sley, slezsko, slic, slice, slice bar, slice of the pie

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for sley

  • 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

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

    The First Boke of Moses called Genesis|William Tyndale

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

    The First Boke of Moses called Genesis|William Tyndale

  • 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)