English Explanatory Dictionary

dyed-in-the-wool

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Having the fibres dyed before they are formed into cloth.
  2. Firmly established in one's beliefs or habits; having a specified characteristic, identity, etc. deeply ingrained in one's nature.

Pronunciation

/ˌdaɪd ɪn ðə ˈwʊl/ en-us-dyed-in-the-wool.ogg en-au-dyed-in-the-wool.ogg

Word forms

dyed-in-the-wool more dyed-in-the-wool most dyed-in-the-wool

Etymology

From the past participle of dye in the wool. The expression comes from the fact that fabric can be dyed in a number of ways. The woven fabric may be dyed after it is complete, or the threads may be dyed before they are woven. When a color is "dyed in the wool," the wool itself is dyed before being spun into threads, so the colour is least likely to fade or change. (Dyes: Webster’s Quotations, Facts and Phrases. Icon Group International. 2008, p. 344.).

Synonyms

inveterate
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