whiskering

Developing facial hair

Whiskering refers to thin, hair-like crystal growths that form spontaneously on metal surfaces, particularly tin and zinc.

These metallic whiskers can cause short circuits in electronics—a significant reliability concern in aerospace and military applications.

The term also describes the deliberate distressing of denim jeans to create worn-looking streaks at stress points like the thighs and crotch: The jeans featured heavy whiskering for a vintage look.

denim

fading

Gradual loss of intensity

creasesLines made by folding
honeycombsHexagonal wax structures
indigoPlant-derived blue dye

selvedge · raw · sanforized · warp · weft · rivets · stitching · roping · stacks · combs

fashion

jeans

Casual denim trousers

trendDirection of change
styleDistinctive way of expression
designerOne who plans appearances

distressed · worn-in · vintage · aesthetic · streetwear · workwear · heritage · patina · character · authenticity

electronics

tin

Element fifty, Sn

solderFusible bonding alloy
dendritesNeuron's signal-receiving projections
short-circuitUnintended electrical path

crystalline · metal · filaments · bridging · corrosion · failure · growth · PCB · leads · oxidation

Opposites

surface texture/appearance

whiskeringsmoothing

Reducing irregularities systematically

polishing · bare · smooth · smoothness · uniformity

hair growth process

whiskeringshaving

Removing hair with blade

depilation · clean-shaven · waxing · plucking · hairlessness

textile treatment

whiskeringundistressed

Not in anguish

raw denim · untreated · unwashed · crisp

Family

whisker, whiskered, whiskers, whisk, whisked, whisking, whisks

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G