from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Warp \Warp\, n. [AS. wearp; akin to Icel. varp a casting,
throwing, Sw. varp the draught of a net, Dan. varp a towline,
OHG. warf warp, G. werft. See {Warp}, v.]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Weaving) The threads which are extended lengthwise in the
loom, and crossed by the woof.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Naut.) A rope used in hauling or moving a vessel, usually
with one end attached to an anchor, a post, or other fixed
object; a towing line; a warping hawser.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Agric.) A slimy substance deposited on land by tides,
etc., by which a rich alluvial soil is formed. --Lyell.
[1913 Webster]
4. A premature casting of young; -- said of cattle, sheep,
etc. [Prov. Eng.]
[1913 Webster]
5. Four; esp., four herrings; a cast. See {Cast}, n., 17.
[Prov. Eng.] --Wright.
[1913 Webster]
6. [From {Warp}, v.] The state of being warped or twisted;
as, the warp of a board.
[1913 Webster]
{Warp beam}, the roller on which the warp is wound in a loom.
{Warp fabric}, fabric produced by warp knitting.
{Warp frame}, or {Warp-net frame}, a machine for making warp
lace having a number of needles and employing a thread for
each needle.
{Warp knitting}, a kind of knitting in which a number of
threads are interchained each with one or more contiguous
threads on either side; -- also called {warp weaving}.
{Warp lace}, or {Warp net}, lace having a warp crossed by
weft threads.
[1913 Webster]