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merino
- 5 dictionary resultsme⋅ri⋅no
[muh-ree-noh]
noun, plural -nos, adjective –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
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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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To merino
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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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Merino
Me*ri"no\, a. [Sp. merino moving from pasture to pasture, fr. merino a royal judge and superintendent or inspector of sheep walks, LL. merinus, fr. majorinus, i. e., major vill?, fr. L. major greater. See Major. Merino sheep are driven at certain seasons from one part of Spain to another, in large flocks, for pasturage.]1. Of or pertaining to a variety of sheep with very fine wool, originally bred in Spain. 2. Made of the wool of the merino sheep.Merino
Me*ri"no\, n.; pl. Merinos. [Sp.]1. (Zo["o]l.) A breed of sheep originally from Spain, noted for the fineness of its wool. 2. A fine fabric of merino wool.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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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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