(1) A synonym for skein. Textile linear material in coiled form
(2) A definite length of sliver, slubbing, roving, or yarn, e.g., in the metric system it is 1000 metres
(3) A synonym for count as applied to sliver, slubbing, or roving
see also lea (cotton), flax yarn bundle, the Tex system
Textile Resource (http://www.textile.org.uk)
A package of yarn from a reel, hopefully with the yardage and fiber content noted on a label. This may refer to a specified yardage, as in a hank of worsted yarn contains 560 yards, cotton and silk is 840 yards, and linen is 300 yards
Textile Links (http://www.textilelinks.com)