tapestry English · revision 1233

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈtæpəstɹi/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It comes from Middle English ''tapiceri'', ''tapstri'',^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(RHWU) [[der|frm|tapisserie]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) from ''tapisser'' “to cover with heavy fabric”,^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) from ''tapis'' “heavy fabric, carpet”,^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) [[der|grc|ταπήτιον|tr=tapḗtion]], a diminutive of ''tápēs'' “carpet, heavy fabric”.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) The Greek word is perhaps of Iranian origin,^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) though Etymonline notes that Beekes takes it to be Pre-Greek.^(Etymonline) The ''-t-'' in the middle of the English word is unetymological.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A heavy fabric with pictures or designs woven into it, used for hangings (1397 as ''tapiestre'' in Barnhart; 1434 in the OED).^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A figurative use for something of rich, intricate design is recorded from 1581.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The verb, to hang or adorn with tapestry, appeared about 1630,^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989) and the sense to depict in tapestry in 1814.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989) In modern use the word is often applied to canvas embroidery worked in wool.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1388 – ''tapicery'', the heavy decorated fabric.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1397 – ''tapiestre''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1581 – figurative use.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+ * about 1630 – verb, to cover or hang with tapestry.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1814 – verb, to depict in tapestry.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A heavy cloth woven by hand with pictures or designs, used as a wall [[hanging]] or to cover [[furniture]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A machine-woven imitation of this, used for [[upholstery]].^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+ # [[embroidery|alt=Embroidery]] on canvas that resembles woven tapestry.^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)

+ # Something with a rich and intricate variety of detail.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To hang, cover or decorate with tapestry.^(AHD)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To weave or depict in a tapestry.^(AHD)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[tapestrylike]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[tapetum]]

+ * [[tapis]]

+ * [[taffeta]]

+ * [[carpet]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}