noil

Inherited from Middle English *noyel, from Old French noiel, variant of noel, from either Early Medieval Latin nōdellus (“buckle”, diminutive of nōdus "knot") or Late Latin nucālis (“nut-like”, derivative of nux "nut"). Doublet of newel and noyau.

• IPA^(key): /nɔɪl/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɔɪl

noil (plural noils)

1. A short fibre left over from combing wool or spinning silk during the preparation of textile yarns. Sometimes it is referred to as 'Raw Silk', although this is somewhat of a misnomer.

   The silk noil was slightly nubby with random flecks in an off-white colour.

   • 1908, Fibre & Fabric, page 21:

     Fcy. goods, cassimeres, cloakings, piece dyes, noils, mohair, and raw stock wool and cotton.

• noily

• LINO, Lion, Nilo-, Olin, lino, lion, loin

noil

1. (colloquial) pronunciation spelling of noilla