teasel 
teasel
Definition
tea·sel (tē′zəl)
noun
- any of a genus (Dipsacus) of bristly plants of the teasel family, with prickly, cylindrical heads of yellowish or purplish flowers, esp. the fuller's teasel (D. fullonum) with flower heads having sharp, spinelike bracts
- a flower head of the fuller's teasel, used when dried for raising a nap on cloth
- any device for raising a nap on cloth
Etymology: ME tasel < OE tæsel < base of tæsan, to tease
adjective
designating a family (Dipsacaceae, order Dipsacales) of dicotyledonous plants bearing dense flower heads covered with stiff bracts, including scabiosa and teasel
transitive verb -·seled, -·selled, -·sel·ing, -·sel·ling
to raise a nap on (cloth) by means of teasels
tea′·seler noun or tea′·sel·ler
teasel
Usage Examples
Modifies a noun
- seedhead: The larva always feeds singly on the pith in the cavity of a teasel seedhead.
- flower: The teasel flowers In late summer and seems never to he in full bloom.
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