woolgathering

[ woo l-gath-er-ing ]

/ ˈwʊlˌgæð ər ɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR woolgathering ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

indulgence in idle fancies and in daydreaming; absentmindedness: His woolgathering was a handicap in school.

gathering of the tufts of wool shed by sheep and caught on bushes.

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Nearby words

Origin of woolgathering

First recorded in 1545–55; wool + gathering

woolgather

[ woo l-gath-er ]

/ ˈwʊlˌgæð ər /

verb (used without object)

to engage in woolgathering.

Origin of woolgather

First recorded in 1840–50; by back formation from woolgathering

Related formswool·gath·er·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for woolgathering

His interest in music—or rather, at first, in the free and glamorous lives of musicians—began with much posing and woolgathering.
What Made Charlie Parker Great? Reviewing Stanley Crouch’s Biography on Bird|Stuart Klawans|September 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Really, God thought with annoyance, this woolgathering—at such a moment!
The Worshippers|Damon Francis Knight
Mrs. Ferrall's wits returned nimbly from woolgathering, and she shot a startled, inquiring glance at the girl beside her.
The Fighting Chance|Robert W. Chambers
Such strange alleys do my thoughts run along when I am woolgathering in the field.
Tell England|Ernest Raymond

Woolgathering, Ben had missed some remark about Artemis' rigging.
Wilderness of Spring|Edgar Pangborn
I trust that your good man here is not jealous, for beauty, you well do ken, ever sends the wits of a Douglas woolgathering.
The Black Douglas|S. R. Crockett

British Dictionary definitions for woolgathering

woolgathering

/ (ˈwʊlˌɡæðərɪŋ) /

noun

idle or absent-minded indulgence in fantasy; daydreaming

Derived Formswoolgatherer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for woolgathering

woolgathering

1550s, "indulging in wandering fancies and purposeless thinking," from the literal meaning "gathering fragments of wool torn from sheep by bushes, etc." (see wool + gather).