skein
/skeɪn/noun
1- a length of thread or yarn, loosely coiled and knotted（纱或线的）一绞, 一束。
1.1
- a tangled or complicated arrangement, state, or situation纠缠（或复杂的）安排（或状况、局势）：
the skeins of her long hair
她的长头发绞在一起
figurative 〈喻〉a skein of lies
一连串错综复杂的谎言。
1.2
- a flock of wild geese or swans in flight, typically in a V-shaped formation（尤指排成V字形的）一群, 一队（雁, 天鹅）。
词源
Middle English: shortening of Old French escaigne, of unknown origin.