fleece

fleece (fles) a mass of interlacing fibrils.

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fleece of Stilling  the lacework of myelinated fibers surrounding the dentate nucleus.

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fleece

the wool covering of the sheep shorn off as one piece, except for the scraps at the legs, face and crutch.

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double fleece

two-year growth of wool in the one fleece.

fleece fly strike

see cutaneous myiasis.

fleece rot

a dermatitis of sheep caused by prolonged wetting of the skin leading to exudation, the formation of crusts and the matting together of the wool fibers. The growth of toxigenic strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is believed to be the major cause of the dermatitis, and the green fleece coloration associated with production of pyocyanin that usually accompanies it. Other discolorations may occur depending upon the predominance of a particular chromogenic bacterium, many which belong to Pseudomonas spp. Ps. maltophilia can result in yellow coloration, and Ps. indigofera, blue coloration. The damaged fleece loses much of its commercial value.

tender fleece

a staple of the wool will break easily across the fibers with only moderate tension having been applied.

fleece weight

the weight of wool produced by a sheep in a year.

fleece worm

see cutaneous myiasis.