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Meaning of TEASEL

Pronunciation:  'teezul

WordNet Dictionary
 
 Definition: [n]  any of several herbs of the genus Dipsacus native to the Old World having flower heads surrounded by spiny bracts
 
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 Synonyms: teasle, teazel
 
 See Also: common teasel, Dipsacus, Dipsacus fullonum, Dipsacus sativus, Dipsacus sylvestris, fuller's teasel, genus Dipsacus, herb, herbaceous plant, wild teasel

 

 

Webster's 1913 Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
  1. \Tea"sel\, n. [OE. tesel, AS. t?sel, t?sl, the fuller's
    herb. See {Tease}.] [Written also {tassel}, {tazel},
    {teasle}, {teazel}, and {teazle}.]
    1. (Bot.) A plant of the genus {Dipsacus}, of which one
       species ({D. fullonum}) bears a large flower head covered
       with stiff, prickly, hooked bracts. This flower head, when
       dried, is used for raising a nap on woolen cloth.
    Note: Small teasel is {Dipsacus pilosus}, wild teasel is {D.
          sylvestris}.
    2. A bur of this plant.
    3. Any contrivance intended as a substitute for teasels in
       dressing cloth.
    {Teasel frame}, a frame or set of iron bars in which teasel
       heads are fixed for raising the nap on woolen cloth.
    
  2. \Tea"sel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Teaseled}or {Teaselled};
    p. pr. & vb. n. {Teaseling} or {Teaselling}.]
    To subject, as woolen cloth, to the action of teasels, or any
    substitute for them which has an effect to raise a nap.
    
 
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