[f. STOCK sb.1 + CARD sb.1] A large wool-card fastened to a stock or support. (See STOCK sb.1 2 a.)
1562. Richmond Wills (Surtees), 156. Stockcards and hande cards iijs. iiijd.
1585. Higins, Junius Nomencl., 254/1. Pecten, a wooll card, or stocke card.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. 285/2. The Stock Card is of the same nature as the Wool Card only of a larger size, having a double handle fixt on the middle of the Board, by which the Workman holdeth with both Hands, and so Cards Wool (for it is only for Wool) upon another such like Card, but larger [etc.].
1827. Edin. Rev., XLVI. 5. This most ingenious person adapted the stock-cards used in the woollen manufacture to the carding of cotton.
1835. Ure, Philos. Manuf., 170. The ancient plan of flat hand or stock cards.
Hence † Stock-card v. trans., to tease or scribble (wool) with a stock-card. Stock-carder, one who uses a stock-card.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., s.v., Woollen Manufactory, A Pack of short Wool employs three Men to Sort, Dry, Mix, and make it ready for the Stock-Carder; five to Scribble, or Stock-Card it [etc.].