SKEIN

Skein (?), n. [[OE. skeyne, OF. escaigne, F. écagne, probably of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. sgainne, Gael. sgeinnidh thread, small twine; or perhaps the English word is immediately from Celtic.]] 1. 1. A quantity of yarn, thread, or the like, put up together, after it is taken from the reel, — usually tied in a sort of knot.
☞ A skein of cotton yarn is formed by eighty turns of the thread round a fifty-four inch reel. 2. 2. (Wagon Making) A metallic strengthening band or thimble on the wooden arm of an axle. Knight.