Reed
A comb-like frame on the loom that keeps the warp threads evenly spaced and presses each new weft thread into place.
Also: sley, dents
The reed is a row of thin metal or split-cane strips, with narrow gaps called dents between them. One or two warp threads pass through each dent, so the reed fixes how far apart the threads lie and how wide the cloth will be. It sits in a swinging frame called the beater. After each weft thread is laid in, the weaver pulls the beater forward and the reed packs the weft snugly against the cloth already woven. A reed with more dents per inch gives a closer, finer cloth. Weavers change reeds to change the density of the weave.