kier

A worker loads fabric into a kier for boiling.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A bleaching vat or vessel: "kier" refers to a large container or vat used in the textile industry for bleaching, washing, or dyeing cloth or yarn. It is typically made of metal and involves the circulation of hot water or chemicals.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The factory workers loaded the fabric into the kier for the bleaching process. (The large vessel used to whiten cloth.)
  • A modern kier is often equipped with a steam-heating system to speed up dyeing. (The vat used for treating textiles.)

Advanced Usage

• "to kier" (verb, rare): to process or treat (cloth) in a kier.
  • They kier the cotton to remove natural impurities before weaving. (They bleach or wash the cotton in a kier.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kiering (n): the process of bleaching or treating cloth in a kier.
  • Kiering is an essential step in producing high-quality white textiles. (The action of using a kier.)

Synonyms

• Vat: a large container for holding liquids, especially for industrial processes.
• Bleaching vat: a vessel specifically used for whitening textiles.
• Dyeing tub: a container for coloring cloth.

Related Idioms