Category:Skein

Skein, n. Etym: [oe. skeyne, of. escaigne, f. écagne, probably of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. sgainne, gael. sgeinnidh thread, small twine; Or perhaps the english word is immediately from celtic.]

1. A quantity of yarn, thread, or the like, put up together, after it Is taken from the reel, -- usually tied in a sort of knot.

Note: a skein of cotton yarn is formed by eighty turns of the thread Round a fifty-four inch reel.

2. (wagon making)

Defn: a metallic strengthening band or thimble on the wooden arm of An axle. Knight.

Skein Skein, n. (zoöl.)

Defn: a flight of wild fowl (wild geese or the like). [prov. Eng.]