The word shearlings refers to a lamb or a sheep that has been shorn once, but not for the first time. Its IPA phonetic transcription is /ˈʃɪərlɪŋz/. The first two letters of the word are pronounced as "sh," like the "sh" sound in "sheep." The following vowel is pronounced as "i" like in "bit" and the next two letters are pronounced as "er," like in "her." The final letters, "lings," are pronounced as "lingz," with the "s" sound at the end.
Shearlings, a noun in plural form, typically refers to young sheep that are shorn for the first time, typically when they are around one year old. These animals are commonly known as "shearlings" due to their status as the first-time shearings. The term "shearling" combines the words "shear," which refers to the process of removing the animal's fleece, and "ling," a suffix used to indicate youth or the offspring of an animal.
Shearlings are specifically raised for their dense, high-quality wool, which is prized for its warmth and softness. The fleece obtained from shearlings is used to produce a variety of woolen goods, including clothing, blankets, and textiles. Due to the animal's relatively young age, their wool is considered to be of exceptional quality, often fetching higher prices in the market. Shearing shearlings is a crucial process in the sheep farming industry, as it helps maintain the health of the animals and promotes their overall well-being.
In addition to their prized fleece, shearlings also hold value as breeding stock. They are often chosen to be sire or dam sheep for future generations, as their successful shearing indicates a desirable genetics trait that may be passed on to their offspring. However, it is worth noting that in some contexts, such as in the fashion industry, "shearlings" may also refer to the lambskin or sheepskin pelts that are typically sourced from young sheep before they reach the age of one.
The word "shearlings" is derived from the combination of two words: "shear" and "ling".
1. "Shear": This word comes from the Old English word "scieran", which means "to cut". It ultimately stems from the Proto-Germanic word "skeran" meaning "to cut" or "to shear". In the context of sheep, the term "shear" refers to the act of cutting or removing their wool.
2. "-ling": The suffix "-ling" is commonly used in English to denote a young or small version of something. It is derived from the Old English "-ling", which had a similar meaning.
Therefore, "shearlings" refers to young sheep that have been recently sheared or shorn of their wool.