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/vel"vit/, n.1. a fabric of silk, nylon, acetate, rayon, etc., sometimes having a cotton backing, with a thick, soft pile formed of loops of the warp thread either cut at the outer end or left uncut.2. something likened to the fabric velvet, as in softness or texture: the velvet of her touch; the velvet of the lawn.3. the soft, deciduous covering of a growing antler.4. Informal. a very pleasant, luxurious, desirable situation.5. Informal.a. money gained through gambling; winnings.b. clear gain or profit, esp. when more than anticipated.adj.6. Also, velveted. made of velvet or covered with velvet.7. Also, velvetlike. resembling or suggesting velvet; smooth; soft; velvety: a velvet night; a cat's velvet fur.[1275-1325; ME velvet, veluet, veluwet < OF veluotte, equiv. to velu ( < ML vil(l)utus; L vill(us) shaggy nap (cf. VILLUS) + LL -utus for L -atus -ATE1) + -otte n. suffix]
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Fabric having a short, dense pile, used in clothing and upholstery.Velvet is made in the pile weave (see weaving), of silk, cotton, or synthetic fibres and is characterized by a soft, downy surface formed by clipped yarns (see shearing). Its "wrong" side is smooth and shows the weave used. Velvets can be made water-repellent and crush-resistant. They are also occasionally patterned or embossed.* * *
▪ fabricin textiles, fabric having a short, dense pile, used in clothing and upholstery. The term derives from the Middle French velu, “shaggy.” Velvet is made in the pile weave, of silk, cotton, or synthetic fibres, and is characterized by a soft, downy surface formed by clipped yarns. The wrong side of the fabric is smooth and shows the weave employed.Velvets can be made water-repellent and crush-resistant. They are also occasionally patterned or embossed.* * *
Universalium. 2010.