fleece
fleece Lexical Profile
fleece Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A soft, warm, synthetic fabric with a thick pile used as lining or outerwear, or a jacket or pullover made from this material.
"She zipped up her fleece before stepping out into the chilly autumn air."
The thick, woolly coat of a sheep, goat, or similar animal, especially after being sheared but before it is processed.
"The farmer gathered the heavy fleece and packed it into large sacks for the wool market."
• verb
To obtain a great deal of money from someone by overcharging or swindling them.
"The unscrupulous street vendors attempt to fleece unsuspecting tourists by charging exorbitant prices for cheap souvenirs."
To remove the woolly coat from a sheep or similar animal by shearing.
"Every spring, the workers gather in the barn to fleece the massive flock of merino sheep."
Word Nuance & Usage
While the noun broadly refers to a cozy material or garment, the verb form is most frequently used in a metaphorical, negative sense to describe swindling or severely overcharging someone.
• Rhymes for fleece
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'flēos', which traces back to the Proto-Germanic '*fleusaz', referring to the woolen coat of a sheep.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.