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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of suint

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

Example Sentences

This operation is generally carried out by the wool-grower himself, for he desires to sell wool, and not wool plus "yolk" or "suint," and thus he saves himself considerable cost in transport.

From The Chemistry of Hat Manufacturing Lectures Delivered Before the Hat Manufacturers' Association by Shonk, Albert

This suint contains always about 52 per cent. of residue when ignited.

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

The washing of wool is in the main a mechanical process, in which the water dissolves out the suint while the soap emulsifies the yolk and thus removes it from the fibre.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 1 "Bisharin" to "Bohea" by Various

First there is a small quantity of dirt; there is what is called the suint, a kind of soapy matter, which can be removed by washing in hot water.

From The Dyeing of Woollen Fabrics by Beech, Franklin

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