Warp, n. [AS. wearp; akin to Icel. varp a casting, throwing, Sw. varp the draught of a net, Dan. varp a towline, OHG. warf warp, G. werft. See Warp, v.]
1. (Weaving) The threads which are extended lengthwise in the loom, and crossed by the woof.
2. (Naut.) A rope used in hauling or moving a vessel, usually with one end attached to an anchor, a post, or other fixed object; a towing line; a warping hawser.
3. (Agric.) A slimy substance deposited on land by tides, etc., by which a rich alluvial soil is formed. Lyell.
4. A premature casting of young; — said of cattle, sheep, etc.
5. Four; esp., four herrings; a cast. See Cast, n., 17. Wright.
6. [From Warp, v.] The state of being warped or twisted; as, the warp of a board.
Warp beam, the roller on which the warp is wound in a loom. — Warp fabric, fabric produced by warp knitting. — Warp frame, orWarp-net frame, a machine for making warp lace having a number of needles and employing a thread for each needle. — Warp knitting, a kind of knitting in which a number of threads are interchained each with one or more contiguous threads on either side; — also called warp weaving. — Warp lace, orWarp net, lace having a warp crossed by weft threads.