moire

¹

[ mwahr, mawr, mohr ]

noun

1. any moiré fabric.

moiré

²

[ mwah-rey, mawr-ey, mohr-ey; French mwa-rey ]

adjective

1. (of silks and other fabrics) presenting a watery or wavelike appearance.

noun

1. a design pressed on silk, rayon, etc., by engraved rollers.
2. any silk, rayon, etc., fabric with a watery or wavelike appearance.
3. Printing. an interference pattern of dots appearing in the print of process color.

moire

¹

/ mwɑː /

noun

1. a fabric, usually silk, having a watered effect

moiré

²

/ ˈmwɑːreɪ /

adjective

1. having a watered or wavelike pattern

noun

1. such a pattern, impressed on fabrics by means of engraved rollers
2. any fabric having such a pattern; moire
3. Alsomoiré pattern a pattern seen when two geometrical patterns, such as grids, are visually superimposed

Word History and Origins

Origin of moire¹

1650–60; < French < English mohair

Origin of moire²

From French, dating back to 1810–20; moire, -ee

Word History and Origins

Origin of moire¹

C17: from French, earlier mouaire, from mohair

Origin of moire²

C17: from French, from moire mohair

Example Sentences

The charges in twisted graphene are spread far too thin across the giant moiré cells to superconduct at high temperatures, but the bond holding them together — whether it’s skyrmions or something else — seems strong.

From Quanta Magazine

In the Middle Ages moire was held in high esteem, and continues to enjoy that distinction down to the present day.

From Project Gutenberg

At the present time moire work is done which costs as high as 25 cents per yard.

From Project Gutenberg

How about little white moire paper boxes with some pretty flower on the cover?

From Project Gutenberg

The queen is costumed in a moire antique dress, of a showy color, hair hanging loosely over the shoulder.

From Project Gutenberg

She is very tall and handsome, and was superb in a white lace shawl, a moire-antique with a train.

From Project Gutenberg