skein

¹skein

noun \ˈskān\

Definition of SKEIN

1

also skean or skeane \ˈskān\ : a loosely coiled length of yarn or thread wound on a reel

2

: something suggesting the twists or coils of a skein : tangle

3

: a flock of wildfowl (as geese or ducks) in flight

Origin of SKEIN

Middle English skeyne, from Middle French (Picard) escagne, probably from Vulgar Latin *scamnia, from *scamniare to wind yarn, from *scamnium rack for holding bobbins, from Latin scamnum bench, stool — more at shambles

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Birds Terms

aerie, bunting, clutch, covey, hackle, ratite, rictus, ruff, zygodactyl

Rhymes with SKEIN

ain, Aisne, ane, Bain, bane, blain, brain, cane, chain, crane, deign, drain, fain, fane, feign, gain, grain, Kane, lane, Lane, main, mane, pain, Paine, pane, plain, plane, quean, rain, reign, rein, sain, sane, seine, Seine, Spain, sprain, stain, strain, swain, thane, thegn, train, twain, Twain, vain, vane, vein, wain, wane, Wayne