teasel
teasel Lexical Profile
teasel Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any tall, prickly biennial plant of the genus Dipsacus (family Caprifoliaceae), native to Eurasia and North Africa, bearing dense, ovoid or cylindrical flower heads covered in stiff, spiny bracts with small lavender, purple, or white blossoms that open in concentric bands.
"Goldfinches perched on the dried stalks of the teasel at the edge of the meadow to feed on its tiny seeds."
The dried, hooked flower head of fuller's teasel (Dipsacus sativus), or a mechanical wire-toothed device modeled after it, used in textile manufacturing to comb and raise the nap on woolen cloth.
"Historically, weavers preferred the natural teasel over metal brushes because its hooked bracts would give way before tearing delicate wool fibers."
• verb
To raise a soft nap on (woolen cloth) by brushing the surface with dried teasel heads or a mechanical equivalent.
"The mill workers carefully teaseled the heavy broadcloth to give its surface a soft, velvety finish."
• Rhymes for teasel
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English tæsel, an instrumental noun formed from the verb tæsan ('to pluck or pull apart wool fibers') combined with the suffix -el, referring to the historical use of the dried flower heads to raise the nap on woolen cloth.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.