Standard Lemma guide

noil

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /nɔɪl/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɔɪl

1

noun

Meaning 1

A short fibre left over from combing wool or spinning silk during the preparation of textile yarns.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

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

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

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.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: výčesek — short fibre
  • German: Kämmling — short fibre