velvet

¹vel·vet

noun \ˈvel-vət\

Definition of VELVET

1

: a clothing and upholstery fabric (as of silk, rayon, or wool) characterized by a short soft dense warp pile

2

a : something suggesting velvet

b : a characteristic (as softness or smoothness) of velvet

3

: the soft vascular skin that envelops and nourishes the developing antlers of deer

4

a : the winnings of a player in a gambling game

b : a profit or gain beyond ordinary expectation

— vel·vet·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of VELVET

1. She was dressed in black velvet.

Origin of VELVET

Middle English veluet, velvet, from Anglo-French, from velu shaggy, soft, velvety, from Vulgar Latin *villutus, from Latin villus shaggy hair; akin to Latin vellus fleece — more at wool

First Known Use: 14th century

²velvet

adjective

Definition of VELVET

1

: made of or covered with velvet; also : clad in velvet

2

: resembling or suggesting velvet : velvety <a velvet voice>

First Known Use of VELVET

14th century

velvet

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

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.