cloth English · revision 10404

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=before 800|origins=gem-pro *klaiþą}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /klɒθ/, /klɔːθ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|ang|clāþ|t=a cloth, sail, covering, woven or felted material; garment]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from Proto-Germanic *kalithaz,^(Etymonline) source also of Dutch kleed and German [[m|de|Kleid|t=dress, garment]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) which is of obscure origin, perhaps a substrate word;^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) Barnhart and Merriam-Webster connect it with Old English clīþan, to adhere.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A piece of woven or felted material, also a garment: before 800.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A tablecloth is from about 1300,^(OED 1989) and the sails of a ship from about 1325.^(OED 1989) ''Cloth of estate'', spread over a throne, is from 1523.^(OED 1989) The distinctive dress of a profession or trade is from the 1590s, hence ''the cloth'', the clerical profession, from 1701.^(Etymonline) The plural was formerly clothes, which has become a separate word.^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 800 – a piece of cloth; a garment.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1300 – a tablecloth.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1325 – sails.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1590s – professional dress.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1701 – the clergy.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Fabric made by weaving, knitting or felting fibres.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A piece of fabric used for a purpose, such as a tablecloth or dishcloth.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(the cloth)'' The clergy, or the dress of the clergy.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(nautical)'' Sailcloth, or a panel of a sail.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[clothlike]]

+ * [[backcloth]]

+ * [[breechcloth]]

+ * [[broadcloth]]

+ * [[cerecloth]]

+ * [[cheesecloth]]

+ * [[clothbound]]

+ * [[clothier]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[clothe]]

+ * [[clothes]]

+ * [[clothing]]

+ * [[clad]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Scots and English dialect, cloth often meant linen, as distinct from calico.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}