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illustration Merino

Merino

[mə-REE-no]

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Spanish, late 18th century

1.

A breed of sheep with long, fine wool.

2.

A soft woolen or wool-and-cotton material resembling cashmere, originally of merino wool.

Examples of Merino in a sentence

"The merino grazed peacefully on the side of the hill."

"Frank wears that merino wool sweater every time the weather gets chilly."

About Merino

While "merino" comes from 18th-century Spanish, its exact origins are a mystery. You can use the word "merino" to refer to a sheep or your sweater and be completely correct in both cases.

Did you Know?

A single merino sheep produces a lot of wool in its lifetime — around 227 pounds, in fact. The wool is not only cozy for sweaters and blankets, but also wicks up to 30% of its weight in moisture without getting damp, so it's perfect for socks, scarves, and other outerwear.

illustration Merino

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