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embroidery

American  
[em-broi-duh-ree, -dree] / ɛmˈbrɔɪ də ri, -dri /

noun

plural

embroideries
  1. the art of working raised and ornamental designs in threads of silk, cotton, gold, silver, or other material, upon any woven fabric, leather, paper, etc., with a needle.

  2. embroidered work or ornamentation.

  3. elaboration or embellishment, as in telling a story.


embroidery British  
/ ɪmˈbrɔɪdərɪ /

noun

  1. decorative needlework done usually on loosely woven cloth or canvas, often being a picture or pattern

  2. elaboration or exaggeration, esp in writing or reporting; embellishment

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of embroidery

1350–1400; Middle English embrouderie needlework on cloth < Middle French embroud ( er ) + Middle English -erie -ery; oi from embroider

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Men's fashion is embracing embroidery and handcrafted textiles that were once viewed as old-fashioned or feminine, with a clutch of modern Indian brands poised to benefit from the catwalk and celeb-driven trend.

From Barron's

The army man, now a general, has, for the main, ditched the camouflage in favour of the baseball cap and tracksuit, or a boubou - traditional Guinean attire of loose-fitting robes with elaborate embroidery.

From BBC

But the plan has sparked an outcry from heritage experts concerned over the ancient embroidery's already fragile state.

From Barron's

The 70m-long embroidery, more than 900 years old, is due to go on display at the British Museum in London in September.

From BBC

She pulled from her carefully styled hair a long, thick ribbon upon which Boaz caught Hebrew embroidery, the letters too small to make out the words.

From Literature