Warp \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. [Prov. Eng.]

5. Four; esp., four herrings; a cast. See Cast, n., 17. [Prov. Eng.]

--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, or Warp-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, or Warp net, lace having a warp crossed by weft threads.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)