teasel

or tea·zel, tea·zle

[ tee-zuhl ]

noun

1. any of several plants of the genus Dipsacus, having prickly leaves and flower heads. Compare teasel family.
2. the dried flower head or bur of the plant D. fullonum, used for teasing or teaseling cloth.
3. any mechanical contrivance used for teaseling.

verb (used with object)

, tea·seled, tea·sel·ing or (especially British) tea·selled, tea·sel·ling.

1. to raise a nap on (cloth) with teasels; dress by means of teasels.

teasel

/ ˈtiːzəl /

noun

1. any of various stout biennial plants of the genus Dipsacus, of Eurasia and N Africa, having prickly leaves and prickly heads of yellow or purple flowers: family Dipsacaceae See also fuller's teasel
2. 1. the prickly dried flower head of the fuller's teasel, used for teasing
   2. any manufactured implement used for the same purpose

verb

1. tr to tease (a fabric)

Derived Forms

• ˈteaseller, noun

Other Words From

• teasel·er especially British, teasel·ler noun
• un·teaseled adjective
• un·teaselled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of teasel¹

before 1000; Middle English tesel, Old English tǣsel; akin to tease

Word History and Origins

Origin of teasel¹

Old English tǣsel; related to Old High German zeisala teasel, Norwegian tīsl undergrowth, tīsla to tear to bits; see tease

Example Sentences

In newly-released images to mark his 60th birthday, the duke is pictured smiling with his three dogs - Labrador Teal, Cocker Spaniel Mole and Labrador puppy Teasel.

From BBC

Teasel, a two-year-old Jack Russell, had other plans.

From BBC

So the strong maternal instinct shown by Teasel stands her in good stead to raise her own young, should she one day have pups of her own.

From BBC

That those instincts have been co-opted by a litter of needy kittens works out well for the kittens - and does not harm Teasel.

From BBC

What would be interesting, according to Dr Grant, was what would have happened if Teasel already had a full litter of her own pups.

From BBC