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kemp (KEMP) - n., coarse, rough hair, wool, or fur; (in plural) knotty hairs that will not felt.
Kemp can be mixed in with better wool, and needs to be removed as it is less workable and doesn't take dyes. It will sometimes be used in carpets. Dates from the 14th century, expansion of kempe, coarse (said of hair), from the same Germanic root that resulted in Old English cenep, mustache/bristly object and Old Norse kampr, mustache/cat's whiskers.
---L.
Kemp can be mixed in with better wool, and needs to be removed as it is less workable and doesn't take dyes. It will sometimes be used in carpets. Dates from the 14th century, expansion of kempe, coarse (said of hair), from the same Germanic root that resulted in Old English cenep, mustache/bristly object and Old Norse kampr, mustache/cat's whiskers.
---L.
