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MERINO

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me⋅ri⋅no

  [muh-ree-noh] noun, plural -nos, adjective
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–noun
1. (often initial capital letter) one of a breed of sheep, raised originally in Spain, valued for their fine wool.
2. wool from such sheep.
3. a yarn or fabric made from this wool.
–adjective
4. made of merino wool, yarn, or cloth.
Origin:
1775–85; < Sp < Ar (banū) marīn a Berber tribe known for raising this breed
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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me·ri·no   (mə-rē'nō)   
n.   pl. me·ri·nos

    1. Any of a breed of sheep, originally from Spain, having long fine wool.

    2. The wool of this sheep.

    3. A fine wool and cotton yarn used especially for knitting underwear and hosiery.

    4. A knitted fabric made from this yarn.

  2. A soft lightweight fabric made originally of merino wool but now of any fine wool.

    1. A fine wool and cotton yarn used especially for knitting underwear and hosiery.

    2. A knitted fabric made from this yarn.


[Spanish, perhaps from Berber Benī Merīn, name of the tribe that developed the breed, or from Spanish merino, local magistrate (from Latin māiōrīnus, larger, from māior; see major).]
me·ri'no adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

merino 
"fine-wool breed of sheep," 1781, from Sp., possibly from Ar. Merini, a Berber family or tribe of sheep farmers in northwest Africa whose animals were imported into Spain 14c.-15c. to improve local breeds. Or from L. majorinus, from major "greater," either in ref. to size of the animals or from Sp. derivative merino (n.) "overseer of cattle pastures," also a title of judicial officers.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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