underwool

[ uhn-der-wool ]

noun

1. underfur.

Word History and Origins

Origin of underwool¹

1905–10 in sense “underwear”; 1935–40 for current sense; under- + wool

Example Sentences

The thermal properties of reindeer fur are legendary: it has a thick felty layer of underwool and long thick guard hairs that appear to be hollow, but on inspection under a microscope each hair turns out to have a core of vacuolated, keratinised cells.

From The Guardian

Its hair is more like that of a goat than a sheep, of a brownish gray colour, and with a dense coat of underwool.

From Project Gutenberg

Many from Russia are dyed black for floor and carriage rugs; the hair is brittle, with poor underwool and not very durable; the cost, however, is small.

From Project Gutenberg

The larger varieties, viz. the red and the great, do not usually interest furriers, the fur being harsh and poor without underwool.

From Project Gutenberg

Raccoon skins are also frequently unhaired, and if the underwool is of good quality the effect is similar to beaver.

From Project Gutenberg