scutching machine

9.9

A machine that removes hard parts from plant fibers like flax or cotton

noun

Archaic

: máquina de desfibrar

After harvesting, the cotton was run through a scutching machine to clean the fibers.

Examples

The new scutching machine increased the efficiency of processing flax at the textile mill.
A properly adjusted scutching machine helps preserve the length and quality of linen fibers.
The scutching machine is essential for fiber processing.
Many factories use a scutching machine to improve efficiency.
After harvesting, the cotton was run through a scutching machine to clean the fibers.
A properly adjusted scutching machine helps preserve the length and quality of linen fibers.
The new scutching machine increased the efficiency of processing flax at the textile mill.

Synonyms

batting machine

vsscutching machine

Specialized

8.6

A machine that cleans fibers by removing stems and dirt from cotton, silk, or flax

focuses specifically on removing woody parts from the fibers

scutch

vsscutching machine

Archaic

9.9

A tool for removing fibers from plant stems or chipping stone

is a mechanical device focused on separating fibers from woody parts

How Effective

scutching machine

Archaic

9.9

swingle

Archaic

9.9

Surface Forms

scutching machine singular

scutching machines plural

Morphology

scutching + machine

The compound is compositionally transparent: it denotes a machine that performs 'scutching' (removing unwanted parts from plant fibers). Although technical, a B1 learner who already knows the meanings of 'scutching' and 'machine' can directly derive the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Scutching machine comes from the old way called scutching, when workers would beat and scrape flax or cotton to free the soft fibers from the hard parts of the plant. The machine did that same beating and scraping faster, so the name stuck and today scutching machine means 'a machine that separates the fibers from their hard parts'.