1. a person or machine that cards fibers such as wool or cotton to prepare them for spinning
Usage: common in textile manufacturing
2. a tool or device with wire teeth used to comb and separate fibers
Usage: also called a carding brush or carding comb
3. any of various insects, especially dragonflies, that have a slender body
Usage: informal, regional

Examples

• The carder prepared the raw wool for the spinning wheel.
• She used a hand carder to separate the tangled fibers.
• The textile mill employed several carders to process cotton.
• A carder with fine wire teeth works best for delicate fibers.
• The dragonfly, sometimes called a carder, darted across the pond.