sisal

[ sahy-suh l, sis-uh l ]

/ ˈsaɪ səl, ˈsɪs əl /

Also called sisal hemp. a fiber yielded by an agave, Agave sisalana, of Yucatán, used for making rope, rugs, etc.

the plant itself.

Origin of sisal

1835–45; short for Sisal grass or hemp, named after Sisal, port in Yucatán

sirree, sirup, sirupy, sirvente, sis, sisal, siscowet, sisera, sisinnius, siskin, sisler

The essential feature in the economic production of sisal hemp is machinery for separating the fibre from the pulp of the leaf.

Commercial Geography |Jacques W. Redway
A pair was on the mudflats among mangroves at Sisal, of which the male was taken on August 7.

Summer Birds From the Yucatan Peninsula |Erwin E. Klaas
Sisal hemp has been introduced, and there is a large plantation of it W. of Honolulu.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 1 |Various
Sisal also lacks the flexibility of Manila, being much more stiff and harsh.

The Wonder Book of Knowledge |Various

Sisal hemp, which I found much like our yucca or "bear grass," is but little grown.

Where Half The World Is Waking Up |Clarence Poe

sisal

/ (ˈsaɪsəl) /

a Mexican agave plant, Agave sisalana, cultivated for its large fleshy leaves, which yield a stiff fibre used for making rope

the fibre of this plant

any of the fibres of certain similar or related plants

Also called: sisal hemp

C19: from Mexican Spanish, named after Sisal, a port in Yucatán, Mexico