Definition of skein

The origin of the word "skein" dates back to Old English times, around the 13th century. At that time, the word was spelled as "scēan" and referred to a tight bundle of thread or yarn that had not yet been spun into a specific shape or form. The term "skein" likely derives from the Old Norse word "skjǣnn," which describes a similar concept of a tightly wound bundle of threads or fibers. This word was introduced to England during the Viking invasions of the 9th and 10th centuries, which helped expand the Norse vocabulary in Old English dialects. The meaning of "skein" has evolved over time, as it began to apply specifically to the commercialized product of twisted fibers. In the Middle Ages, skeins of yarn were an essential item for the production of textiles in woolen industries. As these industries grew and globalized, skeins became a commonly traded and sold commodity, such that the term "skein" became integral to the textile industry's lexicon. Today, "skein" maintains its association with textiles, particularly in relation to wool and other animal fibers, while it also applies to the tightly wound bundle of various other flexible materials utilized in technology, science, and medicine, such as wires, cables, or ribbons. In summary, the term "skein" has a rich English and Scandinavian linguistic history, evolving as a practical descriptor for tightly wound collections of threads, wires, and other flexible materials, through centuries of textile production, language exchange, and technological development.