twill

/twil/, n.

1. a fabric constructed in twill weave.

2. a garment, as a suit or trousers, of this fabric.

3. See twill weave.

v.t.

4. to weave in the manner of a twill.

5. to weave in twill construction.

[1300-50; north and Scots var. of twilly (n.), ME twyle, OE twili(c), half trans., half adoption of L bilic- (s. of bilix) having double thread. See TWI-]

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One of the three basic textile weaves (see weaving), distinguished by diagonal lines.

In the simplest twill, the weft crosses over two warp yarns, then under one, the sequence being repeated in each succeeding shot (row), but stepped over, one warp either to the left or right. In regular twill, the diagonal line is repeated regularly, usually running upward from left to right at 45°. The weave can be varied in many ways

for example, by changing the direction of the twill line (as in herringbone twill) or its angle. Twill is much used for men's wear and many other clothing applications because it has stretch on both diagonals, which makes clothes comfortable even if closely fitted. Denim and many tweeds are of twill weave.

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▪ textile

      one of the three basic textile weaves, producing a fabric with a diagonal rib, ridge, or wale. In regular twill the diagonal line is repeated regularly, usually running upward from left to right at a 45° angle.

      The weave can be varied in many ways, for example, by changing the direction of the twill line (as in herringbone twill) or its angle. The smallest twill is one of the most popular weaves in men's wear.

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