Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Teasel

Tea′sel

,
Noun.
[OE.
tesel
, AS.
tǣsel
,
tǣsl
, 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 (
Dipsacus 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.
☞ Small teasel is
Dipsacus pilosus
, wild teasel is
Dipsacus 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.

Tea′sel

,
Verb.
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.

Webster 1828 Edition

Teasel

TE'ASEL

,
Noun.
tee'zl. A plant of the genus Dipsacus, one kind of which bears a large burr which is used for raising a nap on woolen cloth. Hence,
1.
The burr of the plant.

Similar Results