velvet

[ vel-vit ]

noun

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.
   1. money gained through gambling; winnings.
   2. clear gain or profit, especially when more than anticipated.

adjective

1. Also velvet·ed. made of velvet or covered with velvet.
2. Also velvet·like. resembling or suggesting velvet; smooth; soft; velvety:

   a velvet night; a cat's velvet fur.

velvet

/ ˈvɛlvɪt /

noun

1. 1. a fabric of silk, cotton, nylon, etc, with a thick close soft usually lustrous pile
   2. ( as modifier )

      velvet curtains

2. anything with a smooth soft surface
3. 1. smoothness; softness
   2. ( as modifier )

      a velvet night

      velvet skin

4. the furry covering of the newly formed antlers of a deer
5. slang.
   1. gambling or speculative winnings
   2. a gain, esp when unexpectedly high
6. velvet glove
   gentleness or caution, often concealing strength or determination (esp in the phrase an iron fist or hand in a velvet glove )

Derived Forms

• ˈvelvet-ˌlike, adjective
• ˈvelvety, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of velvet¹

1275–1325; Middle English velvet, veluet, veluwet < Old French veluotte, equivalent to velu (< Medieval Latin vil ( l ) ūtus; Latin vill ( us ) shaggy nap ( villus ) + Late Latin -ūtus for Latin -ātus -ate ¹ ) + -otte noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of velvet¹

C14: veluet, from Old French veluotte, from velu hairy, from Vulgar Latin villutus (unattested), from Latin villus shaggy hair

Idioms and Phrases

see under iron hand .

Example Sentences

Its Waitrose supermarkets has a whodunit two-parter which leaves audiences on a cliffhanger, starring Succession's Matthew Macfadyen as a detective on the hunt to uncover who has stolen the family's red velvet cake.

From BBC

The textures and the velvet and sequins of the time never went away.

From Los Angeles Times

We listened in rapt, reverential awe, cozied by Vienna’s velvet strings, velvet winds and velvet brass woven together in a perfect tapestry of lush sonic textures and instrumental colors.

From Los Angeles Times

The velvet rope separating England from the game's highest flyers is thin, but distinct.

From BBC

Best known for his use of lotus and peacock motifs, Bal used rich fabrics like velvet and brocade - his designs were elaborate, inspired by Indian grandeur and royalty.

From BBC

Related Words

• velvety