underwool

[uhn-der-wool]

noun

1. underfur.

Word History and Origins

Origin of underwool¹

1905–10 in sense “underwear”; 1935–40 for current sense; under- + wool

Example Sentences

The thermal properties of reindeer fur are legendary: it has a thick felty layer of underwool and long thick guard hairs that appear to be hollow, but on inspection under a microscope each hair turns out to have a core of vacuolated, keratinised cells.

From The Guardian

Its hair is more like that of a goat than a sheep, of a brownish gray colour, and with a dense coat of underwool.

From Project Gutenberg

The Mongolian goat has a very soft silk underwool, and after the long top hair is removed it is dressed and imported and erroneously named mouflon.

From Project Gutenberg

Raccoon skins are also frequently unhaired, and if the underwool is of good quality the effect is similar to beaver.

From Project Gutenberg

The underwool is full and thick with strong and bright top hair about 2� in. long.

From Project Gutenberg