tapestry

[ tap-uh-stree ]

noun

, plural tap·es·tries.

1. a fabric consisting of a warp upon which colored threads are woven by hand to produce a design, often pictorial, used for wall hangings, furniture coverings, etc.
2. a machine-woven reproduction of this.

verb (used with object)

, tap·es·tried, tap·es·try·ing.

1. to furnish, cover, or adorn with tapestry.
2. to represent or depict in a tapestry.

tapestry

/ ˈtæpɪstrɪ /

noun

1. a heavy ornamental fabric, often in the form of a picture, used for wall hangings, furnishings, etc, and made by weaving coloured threads into a fixed warp
2. another word for needlepoint
3. a colourful and complicated situation

   the rich tapestry of London life

Derived Forms

• ˈtapestried, adjective
• ˈtapestry-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• tapes·try·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tapestry¹

1400–50; late Middle English tapst ( e ) ry, tapistry < Middle French tapisserie carpeting. See tapis, -ery

Word History and Origins

Origin of tapestry¹

C15: from Old French tapisserie carpeting, from Old French tapiz carpet; see tapis

Example Sentences

On his office wall, for instance, hangs a tapestry of a mushroom and a big, all-seeing eye.

From Popular-Science

They were joined by a small group carrying a tapestry of Jesus Christ.

From Washington Post

These varied dishes all contribute to the growing tapestry of American cuisine, a multi-dimensional story of adaptation, innovation, and survival.

From Eater

Consider how you might adapt your keyword, bid and audience targeting strategy to account for the tapestry of varying school experiences and how those differ by school district.

From Search Engine Land

Clark charted this decline in his newsletter, watching as globalization tugged at one thread after another in the tapestry of American industry.

From MIT Technology Review

Life is a series of seemingly throwaway moments strung together in a peculiar tapestry, and Linklater has captured it beautifully.

From The Daily Beast

Manson brought Spahn many presents, one of them being a large tapestry of a horse.

From The Daily Beast

While he does, my eyes caress the strange pop culture tapestry on display.

From The Daily Beast

I am thrilled because the subject matter is rich, but I like that it is a tapestry of color, which is very much needed.

From The Daily Beast

It looks as if it has been made from a Medieval tapestry, the colors rich and worn-looking.

From The Daily Beast

Marcella stood all this while, leaning against the tapestry, in a silent astonishment of thought and feeling.

From Project Gutenberg

The walls and ceiling are covered with silk tapestry, which, however, has nothing but its antiquity to recommend it.

From Project Gutenberg

Pictures, tapestry, antique articles of furniture which had been in the house for centuries still remained.

From Project Gutenberg

Embroidering on canvas, or tapestry work, opens a large field for taste and skill in execution.

From Project Gutenberg

The chairs and settees were old and covered with faded tapestry, representing subjects of the chase by Oudry and Desportes.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• drapery