chenille

[ shuh-neel ]

noun

1. a velvety cord or yarn of silk or worsted, for embroidery, fringes, etc.
2. fabric made with a fringed silken thread used as the weft in combination with wool or cotton.
3. any fabric with a protruding pile, as in certain rayon bedspreads.
4. a deep-pile, durable, woolen carpeting with chenille weft: the most expensive power-loomed floor covering.

chenille

/ ʃəˈniːl /

noun

1. a thick soft tufty silk or worsted velvet cord or yarn used in embroidery and for trimmings, etc
2. a fabric of such yarn
3. a rich and hard-wearing carpet of such fabric

Word History and Origins

Origin of chenille¹

1730–40; < French: velvety cord, literally, caterpillar < Latin canīcula, with etymological sense “little dog,” though attested only in senses “shrewish woman, dogfish, Sirius” ( canicular ); for parallel use of “cat” in same sense, caterpillar

Word History and Origins

Origin of chenille¹

C18: from French, literally: hairy caterpillar, from Latin canicula, diminutive of canis dog

Example Sentences

Run a narrow velvet through the holes of the third row and affix wider velvet ends, or chenille tassels to each extremity.

From Project Gutenberg

Her prize was a gay little chenille imp, which she stuck in her hair with great glee.

From Project Gutenberg

On the chenille-covered table in the middle of the room stood a vase with artificial flowers.

From Project Gutenberg

There is this against chenille, that its texture is not sympathetic to the touch, and that there is a stuffy look about it always.

From Project Gutenberg

The holiday hat is the same, save for a roll of brightly and many tinted chenille.

From Project Gutenberg