Tea"sel (?), n. [OE. tesel, AS. tsel, tsl, the fuller's herb. See Tease.] [Written also tassel, tazel, teasle, teazel, and teazle.]

1. Bot.

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.

 

© Webster 1913.


Tea"sel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Teaseled (?) or Teaselled; p. pr. & vb. n. Teaseling or Teaselling.]

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

 

© Webster 1913.

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