Merino
[mə-REE-no]
Part of speech: noun
Origin: Spanish, late 18th century
1.
A breed of sheep with long, fine wool.
2.
A soft woolen or wool-and-cotton material resembling cashmere, originally of merino wool.
Examples of Merino in a sentence
"The merino grazed peacefully on the side of the hill."
"Frank wears that merino wool sweater every time the weather gets chilly."
About Merino
While "merino" comes from 18th-century Spanish, its exact origins are a mystery. You can use the word "merino" to refer to a sheep or your sweater and be completely correct in both cases.
Did you Know?
A single merino sheep produces a lot of wool in its lifetime — around 227 pounds, in fact. The wool is not only cozy for sweaters and blankets, but also wicks up to 30% of its weight in moisture without getting damp, so it's perfect for socks, scarves, and other outerwear.
