Browse dictionary
Showing 1-20 of 3976 results in 3976 entries
1. aal, n. View full entry 1798
...The noni or Indian mulberry, Morinda citrifolia. Also: the reddish dye obtained from this plant, used (esp. formerly) in India to colour cotton fabrics. Cf. Morinda...
2. abb, n. View full entry eOE
...Originally: the woof or weft in a web. Later also: the warp in a web. Freq. attrib., as abb thread, abb wool, etc....
3. acanthus, n. View full entry 1551
...Bot. In early use: the Mediterranean plant Acanthus spinosus, the spiny leaves of which (or representations of them) are used decoratively (see sense 2). In later use...
4. accordion, n. View full entry 1830
...A portable musical instrument played by stretching and squeezing a central bellows to blow air over metal reeds, the melody being sounded by buttons or a keyboard on one side of the...
5. acetate, n. View full entry 1788
...Chem. A salt or ester, or the anion, of acetic acid....
6. acetyl, n. View full entry 1840
...An organic radical C2H3 or C4H3. Cf. vinyl1. Now hist....
7. Acrilan, n. View full entry 1951
...A proprietary name for a synthetic acrylic fibre used for clothing, blankets, etc. Freq. attrib....
8. acrylic, adj. and n. View full entry 1843
...Chem. Designating compounds containing an acryl radical; of or relating to such compounds....
9. † acupiction, n. View full entry 1663
...Prob.: pictorial embroidery....
10. adatis, n. View full entry 1653
...Very fine Indian muslin....
11. aerophane, n. View full entry 1829
...A light semi-transparent silk fabric of the nature of a thin crape or gauze. Now chiefly hist....
12. Aertex, n. View full entry 1896
...A proprietary name for: a cellular cotton fabric. Freq. attrib. in Aertex shirt, etc....
13. age, v. View full entry 1440
...intr. Of a person, animal, or thing: to grow old; to become or appear aged....
14. aged, adj. and n. View full entry 1420
...That has lived or existed for a long time; of advanced age; very old....
15. ageing, n. View full entry 1549
...The process of growing old....
16. ager, n. View full entry 1884
...Textiles....
17. † aglet, v. View full entry 1530
...intr. and trans. To attach a tag to the end of (a lace)....
18. agterskot, n. View full entry 1918
...The final deferred payment to a farmer for a crop or quantity of wool clipped, paid by a cooperative society, agricultural board, etc., consisting of the difference between the total amount due...
19. † aguiler, n.1 View full entry a1425
...A needle case....
20. Aida, n. View full entry 1877
...A loosely woven linen cloth with an even mesh, traditionally used in cross-stitch embroidery. Freq. attrib., esp. in Aida cloth. Cf. Java canvasJava5....
