noun

skein

Skein (noun) means a quantity of thread, yarn, etc., wound on a reel then removed and loosely knotted into an oblong shape; a skein of cotton is formed by eighty turns of thread around a reel with a fifty-four inch diameter.

noun

A quantity of thread, yarn, etc., wound on a reel then removed and loosely knotted into an oblong shape; a skein of cotton is formed by eighty turns of thread around a reel with a fifty-four inch diameter.

A thing resembling a skein (noun etymology 1, noun sense 1) of thread, yarn, etc.

The membrane of a fish ovary.

A group of wildfowl (for example, geese or swans) in flight.

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “skein” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Etymology

The noun is derived from Middle English skaine, skayne (“quantity of string, thread, etc., wound on a reel; the string, thread, etc., so wound”), from Old French escaigne (modern French écagne, écaigne (Picardy)); further etymology uncertain, probably from Proto-Celtic, from Proto-Indo-European *skend- (“to split off”). The verb is derived from noun. cognates * Irish scáinne (“skein, clew”)

Rhymes for skein

vein rein bein Hein Fein Mein stein Klein herein protein therein wherein

See all rhymes for skein →

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of skein?

"skein" (noun) means a quantity of thread, yarn, etc., wound on a reel then removed and loosely knotted into an oblong shape; a skein of cotton is formed by eighty turns of thread around a reel with a fifty-four inch diameter.

What are the different meanings of skein?

"skein" has 3 main meanings: 1. A quantity of thread, yarn, etc., wound on a reel then removed and loosely knotted into an oblong shape; a skein of cotton is formed by eighty turns of thread around a reel with a fifty-four inch diameter; 2. A thing resembling a skein (noun etymology 1, noun sense 1) of thread, yarn, etc; 3. The membrane of a fish ovary.