kemp
Definition
- Noun:
- Coarse wool fiber: "kemp" refers to a type of coarse, brittle, and often medullated wool fiber that does not dye well and is typically removed during processing. It is commonly found in lower-quality fleeces.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The fleece contained too much kemp, making it unsuitable for fine garments. (Coarse wool fibers that reduce quality.)
- Shears are used to remove kemp from the wool before spinning. (The process of eliminating coarse fibers.)
Advanced Usage
"kempy": an adjective form describing wool that contains a high proportion of kemp.
- The sheep's wool was noticeably kempy, with many stiff, white fibers. (Having much coarse, brittle wool.)
In textile manufacturing: Kemp is often considered a defect because it resists dyeing and creates uneven textures.
- The manufacturer rejected the batch due to excessive kemp. (The wool lot was unsuitable for commercial use.)
Variants and Related Words
Kempy (adj): characterized by or containing kemp.
- The kempy fleece was sold for industrial use rather than clothing. (The wool was coarse and low-grade.)
Kempiness (n): the quality or state of being kempy.
- The kempiness of the wool made it difficult to spin smoothly. (The presence of coarse fibers.)
Synonyms
- Coarse wool: wool with thick, rough fibers.
- Bristle: a stiff, short hair (though not specific to wool).
- Guard hair: the outer, protective hairs in some animals, similar in texture to kemp.
Related Idioms
- "To separate the kemp from the wool": a figurative expression meaning to distinguish between valuable and worthless elements.
- In editing the manuscript, she had to separate the kemp from the wool. (Remove inferior parts from the good.)