herringbone

noun

1. (countable, literally)A bone of a herring.

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

2. (countable, uncountable)A 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.'”

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

   “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.”

3. (countable)A method of climbing a hill by pointing the skis outward in a V-shape to keep from sliding backwards.
4. (countable, uncountable)Twilled 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.”

verb

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