Dictionary
Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
dye in the wool en · VERB
Meanings
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To dye woolen fibers before they are spun into thread.
Therefore, it will be seen that it is easier and a timesaver to "dye-in-the-wool."
1957, Mary E. Black, New Key to Weaving: A Textbook of Hand Weaving for the Beginning Weaver, page 505:The circumstance mentioned in the last two lines shows that it was usual to dye in the wool, as is sometimes done in England.
1838, The Saturday magazine, volume XII, page 108:Next comes the dyeing; though when indigo is used, it is better to dye "in the wool" before carding.
1896, House Beautiful, page 20:
Forms
Deriveds
dyed-in-the-wool