noun
skein
SKAYN/skeɪn/
A length of thread wound into a loose coil.
The skein of yarn forms a loose oval coil held by small ties.
Etymology
Old French escaigne already named a skein of thread. The inherited meaning concerns yarn wound repeatedly and gathered into a bundle; the word's deeper origin is uncertain.
In context
… to form a thread strong enough for use it takes five thousand cocoons and 30 hours for the workers to reel just one skein of silk …
More examples
- The pattern calls for three skeins of blue yarn.
- He unties the skein of thread before winding it.
- Each freshly dyed skein hangs from the drying rack.
Forms
skein · skeins
Similar words
- hank
- A closely matching term for yarn gathered into loose loops.
- ball
- Yarn wound into a rounded mass rather than loose loops.