matelassé

noun

ma·​te·​las·​sé
¦mätᵊl(ˌ)ä¦sā,
¦mät(ˌ)lä-
plural -s
: a double cloth of cotton or rayon or other fibers woven on a jacquard loom and used especially for clothing, upholstery, and bedspreads and marked by raised floral or geometric designs with a puckered or quilted appearance achieved by the interlacing of threads in the weaving or the contracting of threads in the finishing

Word History

Etymology

French, from past participle of matelasser to cushion as with a mattress, from matelas mattress, from Middle French, alteration of materas, from Old French

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near matelassé

Cite this Entry

“Matelassé.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matelass%C3%A9. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!