I. ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: herring + bone
1. : a pattern resembling the lateral skeletal configuration of a herring ; specifically : a pattern (as on a fabric) made up of adjacent rows of parallel lines where any two adjacent rows slope slightly in reverse directions
2.
a. : a twilled fabric with a herringbone pattern ; also : a suit made of such a fabric
b. : a herringbone arrangement of materials (as of bricks in a wall)
3. : a method in skiing of ascending a slope by herringboning ; also : a series of herringbone steps made by herringboning
[s]herringb.jpg[/s] [
herringbone 1
]
II.
transitive verb
1. : to produce a herringbone pattern on
2. : to arrange in a herringbone pattern
intransitive verb
1. : to produce herringbone configurations
2. : to ascend a slope by toeing out with the ski tips and placing the weight on the inner border of the skis