Word Study
noil
CIDE DICTIONARY
noil, n. [Prob. fr. Prov. E. oil, ile, ail, a beard of grain (OE. eil, AS. egl) combined with the indef. article, an oil becoming a noil.].
A short or waste piece or knot of wool separated from the longer staple by combing; also, a similar piece or shred of waste silk. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
noil, n. (in sing. or pl.) short wool-combings.
Etymology
perh. f. OF noel f. med.L nodellus dimin. of L nodus knot
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