[wool] n, often attrib [ME wolle, fr. OE wull; akin to OHG wolla wool, L vellus fleece, lana wool] (bef. 12c) 1: the soft wavy or curly hypertrophied undercoat of various hairy mammals and esp. the sheep made up of a matrix of keratin fibers and covered with minute scales
2: a product of wool; esp: a woven fabric or garment of such fabric 3 a: a dense felted pubescence esp. on a plant: tomentum b: a filamentous mass--usu. used in combination--compare mineral wool, steel wool