taffeta

American  

[taf-i-tuh] / ˈtæf ɪ tə /

noun

1. a medium-weight or light-weight fabric of acetate, nylon, rayon, or silk, usually smooth, crisp, and lustrous, plain-woven, and with a fine crosswise rib effect.

2. any of various other fabrics of silk, linen, wool, etc., in use at different periods.

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adjective

1. of or resembling taffeta.

taffeta British  

/ ˈtæfɪtə /

noun

1. 1. a crisp lustrous plain-weave silk, rayon, etc, used esp for women's clothes

   2. ( as modifier )

      a taffeta petticoat

2. any of various similar fabrics

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Etymology

Origin of taffeta

1325–75; Middle English taffata < Medieval Latin ≪ Persian tāftah silken or linen cloth, noun use of past participle of tāftan to twist, spin

Example Sentences

There were fancy dresses made of silk and velvet and chiffon, men’s breeches and brocade vests, miles of taffeta and endless lengths of ribbon, and countless boxes of tiaras and leather slippers.

From Literature

Often credited as sparking an ’80s revival in fashion, his voluminous, one-of-a-kind party dresses come to life through a combination of contrasting thrifted fabrics like denim, taffeta, chiffon, leather and lace.

From Los Angeles Times

Imagine the ghostly rustling of silk taffeta, the clinking of giant paillettes, brought back to life by scientists and engineers.

From New York Times

For good measure, I brought her a scrap of watered taffeta from off the floor under a dressmaker.

From Literature

The same effect is achieved with a silk taffeta garment, featuring a sound called “scroop,” a combination of the words “scrape” and “whoop.“

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• fiber
• thread
• tulle