terry English · revision 6568

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=borrowing|attested=1784}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈtɛɹi/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is of uncertain origin,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) possibly [[bor|fr|tiré|t=drawn]] in an altered form, the past participle of [[m|fr|tirer|t=to draw]] (see [[tirade]]);^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) compare German gezogener Sammet, drawn velvet.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Collins suggests a variant of [[terret]].^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The loop raised in pile weaving and left uncut, or the fabric itself: 1784.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As an adjective, of fabrics with looped pile, it is from 1835.^(OED 1989) ''Terry cloth'' is American from 1921,^(Barnhart 1988) and terry towelling is now used especially for towels and babies' nappies.^(SOED 2002)^(Collins 2023) A ''terry'', short for territorial, was a soldier of the British Territorial Army (1907).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1784 – an uncut loop; the fabric.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1835 – the adjective.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1921 – terry cloth.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A cotton fabric with uncut loops of thread on one or both sides, used for towels and bathrobes.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An uncut loop in the pile of such a fabric.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[terry cloth]]

+ * [[towelling]]

+ * [[velvet]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}