Herringbone

Pronunciation

• Canada IPA: /ˈhÉ›rɪŋˌboÊŠn/

Alternative forms

• herring-bone

Full definition of herringbone

Noun

1. A bone of a herring
• 1884: Samuel Smiles, Men of Invention and IndustryThe prosperity of Amsterdam was then so great that it was said that Amsterdam was "founded on herring-bones."
2. A zigzag pattern, especially made by bricks, on a cloth, or by stitches in sewing
• 1861: Charlotte Yonge, The Young Step-Mother'The best path of life is but a herring-bone pattern.'
• 1922: James Joyce, UlyssesMr Bloom walked behind the eyeless feet, a flatcut suit of herringbone tweed.
3. (skiing) A method of climbing a hill by pointing the skis outward in a V-shape to keep from sliding backwards.
4. Twilled fabric woven in rows of parallel sloping lines

Verb

1. To stitch in a herringbone pattern.
• 1899, Israel Zangwill, "They that Walk in Darkness": Ghetto Tragedies (page 289)When, at the head-centre, the lady demonstrator, armed with a Brobdingnagian whalebone needle, threaded with a bright red cord, executed herringboned fantasias on a canvas frame resembling a violin stand, it all looked easy enough.
2. (skiing) To climb a hill by pointing the skis outward in a V-shape to keep from sliding backwards.