teasel

noun

tea·sel | \ ˈtē-zəl

Definition of teasel

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : an Old World prickly herb (Dipsacus fullonum of the family Dipsacaceae, the teasel family) with flower heads that are covered with stiff hooked bracts and were used especially formerly in the woolen industry

— called also fuller's teasel

b : a plant of the same genus as the teasel

2a : a flower head of the fuller's teasel used when dried to raise a nap on woolen cloth

b : a wire substitute for the teasel

teasel

verb

teaseled or teaselled; teaseling or teaselling\ ˈtēz-liŋ

, ˈtē-zə- \

Definition of teasel (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to nap (cloth) with teasels

Examples of teasel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

One of those, teasel, has taken over open hillsides on the east bank of the river south of W. Cleveland Ave. — Don Behm, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Concrete bed of Kinnickinnic River in Pulaski Park to be removed for recreational and safety upgrades," 7 May 2018 Some Indian tailors who make expensive clothing use cashmere refined by an Irish mill, the last one in the world apparently, and use teasel for that purpose. — Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, "Some non-native weeds flourish in Idaho," 31 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'teasel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.