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 dotting the landscape added to the peaceful air."
"The most-worn item in his wardrobe was the merino wool sweater."
About Merino
While this word 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 both times.
Did you Know?
A single merino sheep produces a lot of wool in its lifetime — around 227 pounds, to be exact. The wool is not only cozy, but also wicks up to 30% of its weight in moisture without getting damp.
