† ˈtavell Silk-weaving.
Obs. exc. as Fr. tavelle (tavɛl). Also 6 tavel, tavyll, tavil.
[a. F. tavelle (in sense 2), app. ad. L. tabella tablet.]
† 1. The bobbin on which silk is wound for use in the shuttle. Obs.
| 1523 Skelton Garl. Laurel 791 To weue in the stoule sume were full preste, With slaiis, with tauellis, with hedellis well drest. a 1529 ― Agst. Comely Coystrowne 34 Wele sped in spyndels and turnyng of tauellys. 1530 Palsgr. 279/2 Tavell an instrument for a sylke woman to worke with. 1538 Elyot, Liciatorium, a weauers shyttel, or a sylke womans tauell, wheron sylke or threde beinge wounden, is shot through the web or lome. 1620 Thomas Lat. Dict. s.v. Liciatorium. |
‖ 2. (mod. Fr. tavelle.) A large drum or bobbin on which the silk is wound off the cocoons.
| 1868 Rep. U.S. Commissioner Agric. (1869) 286 These [machines] consisted of, 1st, a series of tavelles to wind, clean, and equalize the threads during their automatic winding off [etc.]. |