lisle

Named after Lisle, France (now Lille), where it was first produced.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /laɪl/
• Rhymes: -aɪl

lisle (countable and uncountable, plural lisles)

1. A type of strong cotton thread, or a cloth woven from such thread.
   • 1976, Angela Carter, “The Mother Lode”, in Shaking a Leg, Vintage, published 2013, page 11:

     She herself dressed in dark dresses of heavy rayon crêpe, with grey Lisle stockings bound under the knee with two loops of knotted elastic.

   • 1982, TC Boyle, Water Music, Penguin, published 2006, page 41:

     He wore a feather in his hat, doeskin breeches, lisle hose and an iridescent waistcoat.

• Ellis, Liles

From Old Norse litli.

lisle (singular and plural lisle)

1. (non-standard since 2012) definite singular of liten
2. (pre-2012) alternative form of litle

• “lisle” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.