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Glite Dictionary
🧵 A fiber lump 🧵 To form knots
to nep

to nep

9.9
To form small tangled knots on wool, yarn or cloth
  • verb
  • /nɛp/
  • Specialized
: nepear
  • The old wool blanket began to nep after years of use and washing.

Examples

  • Manufacturers try to prevent fabric from nepping during the production process.

  • The fabric nepped after the first wash!

  • If you wash this delicate scarf too roughly, it may nep and lose its smooth texture.

  • I don't want to nep my new fabric!

  • If you wash this delicate scarf too roughly, it may nep and lose its smooth texture.

  • The old wool blanket began to nep after years of use and washing.

  • Manufacturers try to prevent fabric from nepping during the production process.

Antonyms

to untangle
13 3.5

To separate threads or cords that are twisted together

Surface Forms

nep infinitive
nepped past
nepped past participle
nepping present participle
neps third person singular

Etymology

The verb nep comes from the same idea of a small 'knot', so to nep is to make those tiny knots on wool or fabric, which is why nepping makes material feel rough or lumpy.