Lexic.us

Definition of Teasel

1. Noun. Any of several herbs of the genus Dipsacus native to the Old World having flower heads surrounded by spiny bracts.

Definition of Teasel

1. n. A plant of the genus Dipsacus, of which one species (D. fullonum) bears a large flower head covered with stiff, prickly, hooked bracts. This flower head, when dried, is used for raising a nap on woolen cloth.

2. v. t. To subject, as woolen cloth, to the action of teasels, or any substitute for them which has an effect to raise a nap.

Definition of Teasel

1. to raise a soft surface on fabric with a bristly flower head [v -SELED, -SELING, -SELS or -SELLED, -SELLING, -SELS]

Medical Definition of Teasel

1. 1. A plant of the genus Dipsacus, of which one species (D. Fullonum) bears a large flower head covered with stiff, prickly, hooked bracts. This flower head, when dried, is used for raising a nap on woolen cloth. Small teasel is Dipsacus pilosus, wild teasel is D. Sylvestris. 2. A bur of this plant. 3. Any contrivance intended as a substitute for teasels in dressing cloth. Teasel frame, a frame or set of iron bars in which teasel heads are fixed for raising the nap on woolen cloth. Origin: OE. Tesel, AS. Tsel, tsl, the fuller's herb. See Tease Alternative forms: tassel, tazel, teasle, teazel, and teazle. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Teasel Pictures

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Lexicographical Neighbors of Teasel

tear gland tear into tear off tear sac tear sac tear sheet tear stone tear up teas teasable

Teasdale tease tease teased teasel (current term) teasel (current term) teaseled teaseler teaselers teaseling

teaselled teaseller teasellers teaselling teasels teaser teaser teasers teases tease apart

Literary usage of Teasel

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The American Cyclopaedia: A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge by Charles Anderson Dana (1876)
"Like the composites, the teasel family have their flowers in dense heads, ... In the teasel itself, of which there are about a dozen old-world species, ..."

2. Handbook of Nature-study for Teachers and Parents: Based on the Cornell by Anna Botsford Comstock (1911)
"The teasel. They are long, lanceolate, set opposite in pairs, rather coarse in ... If we look at it carefully, the teasel flower-head wins our admiration, ..."

3. The American Cyclopaedia: A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge by George Ripley, Charles Anderson Dana (1883)
"Like the composites, tho teasel family have their flowers in dense heads, ... In the teasel itself, of which there are about a dozen old-world species, ..."

4. Cyclopedia of American Agriculture: A Popular Survey of Agricultural by Liberty Hyde Bailey (1907)
"The fuller's teasel is a native of the south of Europe, whence it was taken to other sections and is now cultivated to a large extent. ..."

5. Encyclopædia Americana: A Popular Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature by Thomas Gamaliel Bradford (1835)
"The use of the tears is to prevent the pellucid cornea teasel (dipsacus). ... It has been considered a variety of the wild teasel (D. ..."

6. Encyclopaedia Americana: A Popular Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature by Francis Lieber, Thomas Gamaliel Bradford (1832)
"The use of the leurs is to prevent the pellucid cornea teasel (dipsacus). ... It has been considered a variety of the wild teasel (D. ..."

7. Encyclopædia Americana: A Popular Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature by Thomas Gamaliel Bradford (1838)
"teasel (dipsacus). This plant bears a general resemblance to the thistle, ... It lias been considered a variety of the wild teasel (D. sylvestris), ..."

8. The New American Cyclopaedia: A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge by George Ripley, Charles Anderson Dana (1862)
"The profits from teasel culture are very uncertain, much depending upon the ... The wild teasel (D. syl- vestris, Miller), supposed to be the original of ..."

Other Resources Relating to: Teasel