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countable and uncountable, plural herringbones
(countable) A bone of a herring. quotations examples
The prosperity of Amsterdam was then so great that it was said that Amsterdam was "founded on herring-bones."
1884, Samuel Smiles, Men of Invention and Industry
A zigzag pattern, especially made by bricks, on a cloth, or by stitches in sewing. quotations examples
'The best path of life is but a herring-bone pattern.'
1861, Charlotte Yonge, The Young Step-Mother
Mr Bloom walked behind the eyeless feet, a flatcut suit of herringbone tweed.
1922 February, James Joyce, Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, […]
(countable, skiing) A method of climbing a hill by pointing the skis outward in a V-shape to keep from sliding backwards. examples
Twilled fabric woven in rows of parallel sloping lines. quotations examples
For some strange and elusive reason, the staid, prosaic herringbones have angled themselves into a position of fashion prominence.
1963, Men's Wear, volume 147, page 39
third-person singular simple present herringbones, present participle herringboning, simple past and past participle herringboned
To stitch in a herringbone pattern. examples
(skiing) To climb a hill by pointing the skis outward in a V-shape to keep from sliding backwards. examples