heddle

[ hed-l ]

noun

1. one of the sets of vertical cords or wires in a loom, forming the principal part of the harness that guides the warp threads.

heddle

/ ˈhɛdəl /

noun

1. one of a set of frames of vertical wires on a loom, each wire having an eye through which a warp thread can be passed

Word History and Origins

Origin of heddle¹

1505–15; perhaps representing Old English *hefedl, a metathetic variant of hefeld ( Middle English helde, ModE heald ), cognate with Old Saxon hevild; akin to Old Norse hafald

Word History and Origins

Origin of heddle¹

Old English hefeld chain; related to Old Norse hafald, Middle Low German hevelte

Example Sentences

The fabric is warped with men's intestines and firmly weighted with men's heads; bloodstained spears serve as heddle rods, the shed is ironclad, and pegged with arrows.

From Scientific American

Holding a heddle rod to separate the warp threads, she draws the continuous horizontal weft thread in and out of one or more warp threads.

From Scientific American

Heddle had breast and lymph-node cancer followed by melanoma and brain cancer for six years.

From Washington Times

Heddle also earned gold in the women’s eight in 1992.

From Washington Times

Heddle and McBean are the only Canadian athletes to win three gold medals in the Summer Olympics.

From Washington Times