weaver

Etymology

From Middle English wevere, wever, from Old English *wefere, *wifre, *wæfre (“weaver”, in compounds), equivalent to weave + -er. Compare Saterland Frisian Weeuwer (“weaver”), Dutch wever (“weaver”), German Low German Wever (“weaver”), German Weber (“weaver”), Swedish vävare (“weaver”), Icelandic vefari (“weaver”).

noun

1. One who weaves.
   The Silks, varniſh'd Works, Ink, Paper, and in general every thing that comes, both from Nan-king and the other Cities of the Province, which carry on an aſtoniſhing Trade, is much more eſteem'd and dear, than what is brought from other Provinces. In the City Shang-hay only, and the Villages belonging to it, they reckon above 200,000 Weavers of Callico. 1738, J. B. Du Halde, “PROVINCE II. KYANG-NAN.”, in A Description of the Empire of China and Chinese-Tartary, Together with the Kingdoms of Korea, and Tibet, volume I, London, →OCLC, page 73
2. A strand of material used in weaving.
   To add a new weaver, simply soak a new one, slide one end under a rib (over the old weaver) and continue weaving with both of them until the old one runs out. […] If your weaver has dried, rewet it and weave several rows as in Diagram 26. 1988, Lyn Siler, The Basket Book: Over 30 Magnificent Baskets to Make and Enjoy
3. A weaverbird.
4. An aquatic beetle of the genus Gyrinus.
5. Certain fish of the family Pinguipedidae