herringbone

plural herringbones · alternative herring-bone

1. countableliterallyA bone of a herring.

   The prosperity of Amsterdam was then so great that it was said that Amsterdam was "founded on herring-bones."

   1884, Samuel Smiles, Men of Invention and Industry

2. countableuncountableA zigzag pattern, especially made by bricks, on a cloth, or by stitches in sewing.

   'The best path of life is but a herring-bone pattern.'

   1861, Charlotte Yonge, The Young Step-Mother

   2 more examples

   Mr Bloom walked behind the eyeless feet, a flatcut suit of herringbone tweed.

   1922 February 2, James Joyce, Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company […], →OCLC

   Though almost engulfed by Bedford, Elstow's claim to villagedom is still maintained by two fine rows of timber-framed, overhung, black-and-white cottages and the timber and herringbone-brick Swan pub.

   1980, AA Book of British Villages, Drive Publications Ltd, page 174

3. countablehobbiesA method of climbing a hill by pointing the skis outward in a V-shape to keep from sliding backwards.
4. countableuncountablebusinessTwilled fabric woven in rows of parallel sloping lines.

   For some strange and elusive reason, the staid, prosaic herringbones have angled themselves into a position of fashion prominence.

   1963, Men's Wear, volume 147, page 39

present singular third person herringbones · participle present herringboning · participle past herringboned · past herringboned · alternative herring-bone

1. To stitch in a herringbone pattern.
2. hobbiesTo climb a hill by pointing the skis outward in a V-shape to keep from sliding backwards.