1. (
Weaving.) Called also the
sley or
slay. An appurtenance of the loom, consisting of two parallel bars set a few inches apart and furnished with a number of parallel slips of metal or reed, called
dents, between which the warp-threads are passed.
The lengths of reeds are estimated in quarters of a yard, as 3/4, 4/4, 5/5, 6/4, etc., and, if necessary, by a smaller fractional denominator, as 7/8, 9/8, or 13/16, 15/16, etc.
In Scotland they are estimated thus:—
| 20 splits | 1 porter. |
| 5 porters | 1 hundred. |
In other parts of Britain the estimate is by the number of
splits or
dents in 24 1/2 inches, or in 1 inch.
The reed is set in a swinging frame, called the
lathe, lay, or
batten. In the hand-lathe, the bottom of the batten is furnished with a shelf, called the
shuttle-race, along which the shuttle is driven.
The office of the reed is to beat the
weft up to the
web, and the force of the blow determines the compactness of the fabric.
Two threads of yarn pass between each of the
reed-splits or
dents.
The number of
dents in a reed of a given length determines the fineness of the cloth.
One form of linen-prover has 4 perforations to adapt it to the varying modes of estimating.
The number of threads visible in this perforation ascertains the number of threads in the standard measure of the
reed.
The first is 1/4 of an inch in diameter, and is intended to ascertain the number of threads per inch.
The second is for the
Holland reed, being 1/200 part of 40 inches.
The third is 1/700 part of 37 inches, and is adapted to the Scotch reed, so called by
Ure, as being the regulation reed of that country.
The fourth is 1/200 of 34 inches, and is adapted for the
French cambrics.
Two warp-threads count for 1 split.
2. (
Music.)
a. Formerly, an instrument made from a reed with holes to be stopped by the fingers.
b. A vibrating musical tongue of wood or metal (formerly made from a
reed).
 |
|
Melodeon-reed. |
It is used in windinstru-ments of two classes.
1. The
oboe, clarinet, bassoon.
2. The
accordeon, concertina, melodeon, harmonium, parlor-organ, and that variety of pipe in the large organ known as the
reedpipe, in contradistinction to the
flute or
mouth pipe. See organ-pipe.
Some reeds batter against the seat and some are
free.
3. (
Mining.) The tube conveying the train to the charge in the blast-hole.
Also called the
spire.
4. (
Ornamentation.)
a. Semi-cylindrical ridges, closely arranged in parallel order and designed for ornament.
b. A succession of beads on an object.
