herringbone

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈhɛɹɪŋˌboʊn/

Etymology: From herring + bone.

A bone of a herring.
“The prosperity of Amsterdam was then so great that it was said that Amsterdam was "founded on herring-bones."”
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.”
A method of climbing a hill by pointing the skis outward in a V-shape to keep from sliding backwards.
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.”

Etymology: From herring + bone.

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