noun
fleece
FLEES/fliːs/
The thick, soft wool covering a sheep.
The sheep's thick fleece keeps it warm in cold weather.
Etymology
Old English fleos covered wool and fur, including sealskin, so the sheep's woolly coat continues an established animal-covering sense. The word's deeper origin is uncertain.
In context
quite a fleece of wool on this sheep
More examples
- After shearing, we spread the fleece on a sorting table.
- These sheep have dense fleeces that need regular shearing.
- Her jacket is made of soft synthetic fleece.
- He wears a fleece on cool mornings.
Forms
fleece · fleeces
fleecy adjective — Covered with wool or resembling soft wool.