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illustration Merino

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.

illustration Merino

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