lisle thread

a fine, high-twisted and hard-twisted cotton thread, at least two-ply, used for hosiery, gloves, etc.

Also called lisle.

Origin of lisle thread

First recorded in 1850–55

I couldn't buy a pair of lisle-thread gloves that were not made in Germany.

The Scrap Book, Volume 1, No. 1 |Various
As he took her proffered hand, he raised the lisle-thread fingers to his lips with old-fashioned gallantry.

Openings in the Old Trail |Bret Harte
Lisle-thread gloves in midsummer, thick gloves in midwinter, are more comfortable for street wear than kid ones.

Our Deportment |John H. Young
The Lisle-thread gloves will last as long as the kid, and will be much better on the whole, because they will wash.

A New Atmosphere |Gail Hamilton

Mrs. Sieppe had on lisle-thread mits, and carried two bananas and an orange in a net reticule.

McTeague |Frank Norris