HEALD Meaning and
Definition
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A heald refers to a component used in the operation of a weaving loom, specifically in shuttle looms. It functions as a device responsible for lifting individual warp threads, separated by the reed, in order to create a shed, or an opening, through which the shuttle passes. The healds are an integral part of the warp system, which represents the longitudinal set of threads on the loom, running parallel to each other.
Typically made of metal or synthetic material, a heald consists of a number of wires, cords, or strings, known as heddles, attached to a frame known as a heald shaft or heald frame. The heddles then pass through either the top or bottom portion of the heald shaft with the warp threads threaded through these heddles. When the heald shaft is raised or lowered, either manually or by a mechanical mechanism, it lifts or lowers the corresponding warp threads through the shed.
The variations in movement of the healds determine the interlacing patterns and combinations of the warp and weft threads, which ultimately create the desired fabric structure and design. The number of healds used in a loom can vary based on the complexity and intricacy of the fabric being woven. Advanced looms can employ a large number of healds, allowing for greater flexibility in design and pattern possibilities.
In summary, a heald is a vital component in the weaving process, lifting and lowering specific warp threads to create an aperture through which the shuttle passes, enabling the interlacement of warp and weft threads to form a woven fabric.
Common Misspellings for HEALD
- neald
- jeald
- hwald
- hsald
- hdald
- h4ald
- h3ald
- hezld
- heqld
- heakd
- heaod
- healx
- healc
- gheald
- hgeald
- bheald
- hbeald
- nheald
- hneald
Etymology of HEALD
The word "heald" has an interesting etymology. It comes from the Middle English word "hæfeld", which ultimately traces back to the Old English word "hǣfeld". In Old English, "hǣfeld" referred to the device that raised and lowered the warp threads on a loom during weaving.
The term further goes back to the Old High German word "heftil", meaning "crossbar" or "rod". This Germanic root is related to the Old Norse word "hefja", which means "to heave" or "to raise".
Over time, the term "heald" evolved in usage and came to specifically refer to the cords or wires used in weaving to raise and lower the warp threads. The transformation in meaning from a general term for a device to its specific application in weaving likely occurred during the Middle English period.
Similar spelling words for HEALD
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