A heavy metal or wooden frame containing closely spaced vertical wires or strips, mounted in the beater of a loom. The warp threads pass through the gaps between these wires. During weaving, the weaver pulls the reed forward to push each new weft thread tightly into place against the woven cloth. It also dictates the density of the fabric based on its spacing.
I need to swap out the 10-dent reed for a 12-dent before we thread this fine cotton warp.
Related terms
Dent
The open space between the vertical wires of a loom's reed where warp threads pass through.
Warp
The set of lengthwise yarns held in tension on a loom before weaving begins.
Weft
The transverse yarns inserted over and under the warp to create a woven fabric.
Beater
A swinging frame on a loom that packs weft yarns tightly into the warp.