Skein
Skein , noun
[Old English skeyne, Old French escaigne, French écagne, probably of Celtic origin; compare Ir. sgainne, Gael. sgeinnidh thread, small twine; or perhaps the English word is immediately from Celtic.]
1.
A quantity of yarn, thread, or the like, put up together, after it is taken from the reel, -- usually tied in a sort of knot.
A skein of cotton yarn is formed by eighty turns of the thread round a fifty-four inch reel.
2.
(Wagon Making) A metallic strengthening band or thimble on the wooden arm of an axle. — Knight
Skein , noun
(Zoology) A flight of wild fowl (wild geese or the like). [Provincial English]