yarn

The Sailor's Word-Book

One of the threads of which ropes are composed. A number of these are twisted together to form a strand, in proportion to the size of the proposed rope. Three strands are then twisted into one another, which completes the process of ordinary rope-making; but cables, hawsers, and other ground tackling, are composed of three strands, each of which is formed of three lesser ones. (See cable, hawser, &c.)

♦ A tough yarn. A long story, or tale, hard to be believed.

Related Words

Yarn
·noun One of the threads of which the strands of a rope are composed. II. Yarn ·noun A story told b...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Yarn
Found only in 1 Kings 10:28, 2 Chr. 1:16. The Heb. word mikveh, i.e., "a stringing together," so ren...

Easton's Bible Dictionary
yarn
A story. A word chiefly used by seamen. To spin a long yarn, is to tell a long or tedious story. ...

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
Yarn
The notice of yarn is contained in an extremely obscure passage in (1 Kings 10:28; 2 Chronicles 1:16...

William Smith's Bible Dictionary
Bay yarn
·- Woolen yarn. ...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Rope-yarn
·noun the yarn or thread of any stuff of which the strands of a rope are made. ...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Saxony yarn
·add. ·- A fine grade of woolen yarn twisted somewhat harder and smoother than zephyr yarn. ...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Linen-yarn
(See Yarn.) ...

Easton's Bible Dictionary
rogue's yarn
A yarn twisted the contrary way to the rest of a rope, for detecting theft or embezzlement. Being ta...

The Sailor's Word-Book
rope-yarn
The smallest and simplest part of any rope, being one of the large threads of hemp or other stuff, s...

The Sailor's Word-Book
spun-yarn
A small line, formed of two, three, or more old rope-yarns not laid, but twisted together by hand or...

The Sailor's Word-Book
yarn-spinning
A figurative expression for telling a story. ...

The Sailor's Word-Book
spin a yarn, to
To tell a long story; much prized in a dreary watch, if not tedious. ...

The Sailor's Word-Book