First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1skein
noun \ˈskān\
: a long piece of yarn or thread that is loosely wound
Full Definition of SKEIN
1
also skean or skeane \ˈskān\ : a loosely coiled length of yarn or thread wound on a reel
2
: something suggesting the twists or coils of a skein : tangle
3
: a flock of wildfowl (as geese or ducks) in flight
See skein defined for English-language learners
See skein defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of SKEIN
Middle English skeyne, from Middle French (Picard) escagne, probably from Vulgar Latin *scamnia, from *scamniare to wind yarn, from *scamnium rack for holding bobbins, from Latin scamnum bench, stool — more at shambles
Rhymes with SKEIN
ain, Aisne, ane, Bain, bane, blain, brain, cane, chain, crane, deign, drain, fain, fane, feign, gain, grain, Kane, lane, Lane, main, mane, pain, Paine, pane, plain, plane, quean, rain, reign, rein, sain, sane, seine, Seine, Spain, sprain, stain, strain, swain, thane, thegn, train, twain, Twain, vain, vane, vein, wain, wane, Wayne
2skein
transitive verb
SKEIN[1] Defined for Kids
skein
noun \ˈskān\
Definition of SKEIN for Kids
: a quantity of yarn or thread arranged in a loose coil
Learn More About SKEIN
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up skein? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).