matelassé

American

[maht-luh-sey, mat^uh-lah-sey] / ˈmɑt ləˌseɪ, matə lɑˈseɪ /

Or matelasse,

noun

an embossed, compound fabric woven on a dobby or Jacquard loom.

matelassé British

/ mætˈlæseɪ /

adjective

(in textiles) having a raised design, as quilting; embossed

"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 matelassé

1880–85; < French, past participle of matelasser to quilt, derivative of matelas mattress

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.

The blended styles of a midcentury recliner, a traditional cotton matelassé coverlet and the tribal rugs also soften the room.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 12, 2018

The designer continued to embrace his signature eccentricity, with vintage-looking jogging pants worn under ruffled shirts or a light burgundy matelassé coat with a green neckline and pocket details, for example.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2017

She prattled on to her husband and dug around in her black matelassé purse.

From New York Times • Apr. 26, 2017

Good Night White: The bright walls are tempered by creamy whites on the bed: a heady mix of ruffles and matelassé from Pine Cone Hill and an elegant but wallet-friendly headboard from www.target.com.

From Southern Living • Feb. 8, 2010

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023