Staple (wool)
A Wool Staple is a naturally formed cluster or lock of wool fibres and not a single fibre. Very many staples together form a fleece.
- Image of the staples on the sheep (first external link below)
The cluster of wool fibres is made by a cluster of follicles. The natural cluster of wool is held together because individual fibres have the ability to attach to each other so that they stay together. When removed from the sheep the underside of the fleece shows all its distinct individual staples.
For other textiles, the staple, having evolved from its usage with wool, is a measure of the quality of the fibre with regard to its length or fineness.
Read more about Staple (wool): Etymology, Staple Strength, Staple Length
Famous quotes containing the word staple:
“He draweth out the thread of his verbosity finer than the staple of his argument.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)