Definition

1. Noun:

   • The woolly coat of a sheep or similar animal: The thick, soft hair that covers a sheep, especially when it is shorn.
   • A soft, warm fabric with a thick, fuzzy surface: A synthetic or woolen fabric that mimics the texture of sheep's wool, often used for jackets, blankets, and lining.
   • A sheep's skin with the wool still attached, tanned for use: A piece of leather made from a sheepskin with its fleece preserved, used as a rug or garment.
   • A representation of a fleece, especially the Golden Fleece: In mythology and heraldry, the fleece of a golden-woolled ram, a symbol of authority and quest.

2. Verb:

   • To shear the wool from a sheep or similar animal: To remove the fleece by cutting.
   • To swindle or overcharge someone: To deprive someone of money or possessions through deceit or by charging an exorbitant price.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The farmer sheared the sheep's thick fleece in the spring.
  • She wore a cozy fleece jacket on the hike.
  • A fleece was laid in front of the fireplace.
  • Jason sought the Golden Fleece in the ancient myth.

• Verb:

  • It's time to fleece the flock before the hot weather arrives.
  • The dishonest vendor tried to fleece tourists with overpriced souvenirs.

Advanced Usage

• "To be fleeced": To be cheated or robbed, especially of money.
  • He realized he'd been fleeced after paying $50 for a simple keychain.

Variants and Related Words

• Fleecy (adjective): Having a soft, light texture like fleece; covered with or made of fleece.
  • The fleecy clouds drifted across the blue sky.
• Fleecer (noun): A person who fleeces others; a swindler.

Synonyms

• Noun (for wool): Wool, coat, pelage.
• Noun (for fabric): Plush, velour, sherpa.
• Verb (for shearing): Shear, clip.
• Verb (for swindling): Swindle, cheat, defraud, overcharge, rip off.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

• "To fleece someone out of something": To cheat someone out of a possession.
  • The con artist fleeced the elderly man out of his life savings.

Related Idioms

• "A wolf in sheep's clothing": While not containing the word "fleece," this idiom relates to the concept of deception hidden under a harmless appearance, similar to the verb "to fleece."
• "Golden Fleece": An object or goal that is highly desirable and sought after but difficult to attain.

Noun

1. outer coat of especially sheep and yaks
2. a soft bulky fabric with deep pile; used chiefly for clothing
3. tanned skin of a sheep with the fleece left on; used for clothing
4. the wool of a sheep or similar animal

Verb

1. shear the wool from
   • shear sheep
2. rip off; ask an unreasonable price