fribby, a. (n.) Austral. and N.Z.
(ˈfrɪbɪ)
[Origin unknown.]
Applied to small short locks of wool. Also as n. (usu. pl.), such locks. Also frib (usu. pl.), short wool pieces and second cuts.
| 1900 A. Hawkesworth Austral. Sheep & Wool 180 A fleece is said to be fribby when a great number of second cuts or fribs fall out when it is shaken or in the process of rolling. 1915 J. R. MacDonald N.Z. Sheep-farming xxvi. 69 When the fleece is placed on the table..the stained and fribby pieces should be taken off the edges. 1929 H. B. Smith Sheep & Wool Industry Austral. & N.Z. (ed. 3) 209 Fribby, short locky pieces of wool such as second cuts and small black yolky locks from crutch and under fore-legs of sheep. 1951 L. G. D. Acland Early Canterbury Runs 379 Fribby. Perhaps more a wool trade term than a station one. The yolky locks round the points taken off by the roller from a decently skirted fleece. |