1
a
: a needlegrass (Stipa comata)
b
: a mountain rice (Oryzopsis hymenoides) with long awns
2
: any of several fiber plants especially of Agave or the related genus Nidularium (family Bromeliaceae)
3
: any of several commercial fibers from plants of the family Bromeliaceae: such as
a
: a fine flexible lustrous strong fiber obtained from the pineapple and used for textiles
b
: a similar fiber from a karatas (Karatas plumieri)
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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