lisle thread

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

lisle thread
    n 1: a strong tightly twisted cotton thread (usually made of
         long-staple cotton) [syn: {lisle}, {lisle thread}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Lisle \Lisle\ (l[imac]l), n.
   A city of France celebrated for certain manufactures.
   [1913 Webster]

   {Lisle glove}, a fine summer glove, made of Lisle thread.

   {Lisle lace}, a fine handmade lace, made at Lisle.

   {Lisle thread}, a hard twisted cotton thread, originally
      produced at Lisle.
      [1913 Webster]