suint

American  

[soo-int, swint] / ˈsu ɪnt, swɪnt /

noun

1. the natural grease of the wool of sheep, consisting of a mixture of fatty matter and potassium salts, used as a source of potash and in the preparation of ointments.

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suint British  

/ ˈsuːɪnt, swɪnt /

noun

1. a water-soluble substance found in the fleece of sheep, consisting of peptides, organic acids, metal ions, and inorganic cations and formed from dried perspiration

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Etymology

Origin of suint

1785–95; < French, Middle French, equivalent to su ( er ) to sweat (< Latin sūdāre; sweat ) + -in suffix of mass nouns (as in crottin dung); -t after oint, past participle of oindre to rub with oil, anoint

Example Sentences

Wool in its unwashed state contains a considerable proportion of what is termed suint.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 447, July 26, 1884 by Various

All unwashed wool contains a fatty or greasy matter called yolk or suint.

From Handicraft for Girls A Tentative Course in Needlework, Basketry, Designing, Paper and Cardboard Construction, Textile Fibers and Fabrics and Home Decoration and Care by McGlauflin, Idabelle

The "yolk" or "suint" of wool, originating from the perspiration of the animal, has long been a source of crude potash.

From De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Agricola, Georgius

And this estimate does not include the fats of the suint, which are worth an even greater sum.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 447, July 26, 1884 by Various

He adapts his method to securing the suint to wool-washing establishments at a small cost.

From Scientific American, Volume XXXVI., No. 8, February 24, 1877 A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science, Mechanics, Chemistry, and Manufactures. by Various