Definition

Noun: 1. A breed of sheep characterized by having long wool: Specifically, a domestic sheep (Ovis aries) bred for its long staple length of wool, which is a primary characteristic of the breed. The term often refers to the sheep itself, not just the wool.

Usage Examples

• The farmer added several longwools to his flock to improve the quality and length of the fleece.
• The longwool is prized by hand-spinners for the length and luster of its fiber.
• Compared to a shortwool breed, a longwool requires different shearing techniques.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used attributively (like an adjective) to describe the breed or type: , , .
• In historical and agricultural contexts, "longwool" can refer to specific, named breeds developed in the British Isles, such as the Lincoln Longwool or the Romney (sometimes called Romney Marsh).

Variants and Related Words

• Longwooled (adj.): An alternative adjective form meaning "having long wool." (e.g., ).
• Long wool (noun phrase): The physical wool fiber that is long. This is the characteristic from which the breed name is derived.
• Shortwool (noun): A breed of sheep with short-staple wool, serving as a direct contrast.

Synonyms

• Long-wool sheep: A more explicit, hyphenated synonym.
• Long-staple sheep: A more technical synonym focusing on the fiber characteristic ("staple" refers to the length of a lock of wool).

Notes on Meaning

• The core meaning is the animal (the sheep breed). While the breed is defined by its product (long wool), the word "longwool" itself primarily denotes the sheep. To talk about the fiber material, the phrase "long wool" is typically used.

Noun

1. a domestic long-wool sheep