Definition

Noun: 1. A person who sorts wool into different grades: A worker who classifies raw wool by its quality, fiber length, and other characteristics. 2. A dealer in wool: A merchant who buys and sells wool, often operating as a middleman between wool growers and textile manufacturers.

Usage Examples

• As a sorter:
  • The wool stapler carefully examined each fleece to determine its grade.
  • Before the invention of machines, the skill of the wool stapler was essential for preparing wool for market.
• As a dealer:
  • The farmer sold his entire clip to a local wool stapler.
  • In the 18th century, wool staplers were key figures in the textile trade, supplying mills with raw material.

Advanced Usage

• Historically, the term was often used in a compound form to describe the trade itself, e.g., "He was in the business."
• The role of the was crucial in establishing standardized wool prices based on quality.

Variants and Related Words

• Staple (noun, in this context): Refers to the length and quality of a fiber, especially wool. A key term used by the in grading.
  • Wool with a long staple is more valuable.
• Wool grader: A more modern synonym for a in their sorting capacity.
• Wool merchant: A more general synonym for a in their dealing capacity.

Synonyms

• Wool sorter
• Wool grader
• Wool dealer
• Wool merchant

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To staple wool: The action performed by a , meaning to sort or grade wool.
  • The process of stapling wool requires a keen eye and experience.

Noun

1. a person who sorts wool into different grades
2. a dealer in wool