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paillette

American  
[pahy-yet, pey-, puh-let, pa-yet] / paɪˈyɛt, peɪ-, pəˈlɛt, paˈyɛt /

noun

plural

paillettes
  1. a spangle for ornamenting a costume.

  2. (in enameling) a decorative piece of gold, silver, or colored foil.


paillette British  
/ pælˈjɛt, pajɛt /

noun

  1. a sequin or spangle sewn onto a costume

  2. a small piece of metal or foil, used in enamelling for decoration

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • pailletted adjective

Etymology

Origin of paillette

From French, dating back to 1875–80; see origin at pallet 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Unfortunately the sheer weight of the paillette embroidering did not always cut the most flattering of shapes on some of the tights, all be them finely executed.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 24, 2022

The thickly embroidered paillette body suits in stripes evoked how observers in the Sixties imagined what space-age fashions might be - as Russia battled with the U.S. for dominance in space during the Cold War.

From Washington Times • Jan. 26, 2015

The thickly embroidered paillette body suits in stripes evoked how observers in the Sixties imagined what space-age fashions might be — as Russia battled with the U.S. for dominance in space during the Cold War.

From US News • Jan. 26, 2015

The collection, built on dense jacquards and shades of jungle green, featured intricately embroidered minidresses, boxy little jackets cuffed or collared in faux wood paneling and long dresses sprouting plastic paillette leaves.

From New York Times • Oct. 1, 2014

And there were fabrics of strange names—cr�pe, tulle, serge, taffeta, brocade, charmeuse, paillette, jet, batiste, voile—what not?

From What Will People Say? A novel by Hughes, Rupert