merino

me·ri·no  (m-rn)

n. pl. me·ri·nos

1.

a. Any of a breed of sheep, originally from Spain, having long fine wool.

b. The wool of this sheep.

2. A soft lightweight fabric made originally of merino wool but now of any fine wool.

3.

a. A fine wool and cotton yarn used especially for knitting underwear and hosiery.

b. A knitted fabric made from this yarn.

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[Spanish, perhaps from Berber Ben Mern, name of the tribe that developed the breed, or from Spanish merino, local magistrate (from Latin mirnus, larger, from mior; see major).]

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me·rino adj.

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merino

Noun

pl -nos

1. a sheep with long fine wool, originally reared in Spain

2. the yarn made from this wool [Spanish]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

merino - white sheep originating in Spain and producing a heavy fleece of exceptional quality merino sheep domestic sheep, Ovis aries - any of various breeds raised for wool or edible meat or skin