Depill

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Removes the small balls of tangled fibre that form on the surface of a knitted or woven garment
2. Strips away the tiny fuzzy clusters of fibre that gather on the face of cloth through wear
3. Clears the little bobbles of fluff that accumulate on fabric, such as a jumper or sweater, using a tool

Etymology: "Depill" is built from the prefix "de-", meaning "off" or "away," and "pill," used in the sense of the small knots of fibre that form on the surface of worn knitwear and fabric. The fabric sense of "pill" comes from an older verb meaning to peel or strip off the outer layer, which is likely linked to Latin "pilare," "to deprive of hair." So to depill is to strip those knots away from the cloth's surface. The word describes a practical task: sweaters and blankets develop pills when loose fibres tangle into balls through friction, and a depilling comb or electric shaver removes them. Its meaning is therefore literal rather than figurative, and it is used mainly in the context of garment care.

Synonyms: depilate, epilate