argyle

[ ahr-gahyl ]

/ ˈɑr gaɪl /

(often initial capital letter)

adjective

(of knitted articles) having a diamond-shaped pattern in two or more colors.

noun

a diamond-shaped pattern of two or more colors, used in knitting socks, sweaters, etc.

a sock having this pattern.

Nearby words

Origin of argyle

1790–1800; variant of Argyll; so called because orig. patterned after the tartan of this clan

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for argyle

The first cat on the catwalk (sorry, we had to) was Vengeance, a 12-week-old Sphinx in an argyle sweater.
Kitty CATure Fashion Show, An Amazing Dog and Cat Fashion Show, Happened In New York This Weekend|Lori-Lee Emshey|September 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I found Argyle at his door, with his key, a little impatient.
The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson, Volumes One and Two|Harriette Wilson
My mother was fond of 'Mary of Argyle'; used to sing it when I was a lad,—hum, ha!
Hildegarde's Harvest|Laura E. Richards
After dinner, Dr. Argyle was walking the deck with Lucille in the star-light.
The Harris-Ingram Experiment|Charles E. Bolton

And Argyle pinched Aaron's arm fast, then went unsteadily up the steps to his hotel door.
Aaron's Rod|D. H. Lawrence
The feelings which had produced the coalition against the Marquess of Argyle retained their force long after his death.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay

British Dictionary definitions for argyle

argyle

/ (ɑːˈɡaɪl) /

adjective

made of knitted or woven material with a diamond-shaped pattern of two or more colours

noun

(often plural) a sock made of this

Word Origin for argyle

C20: after Campbell of Argyle (Argyll), the pattern being an adaptation of the tartan of this clan

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

Word Origin and History for argyle

Argyle

"diamond-shaped pattern of two or more colors in fabric," said to be so called from similarity to tartans worn by Campbell clan of Argyll, Scotland. The place name is literally "land of the Gaels," from Old Irish airer "country." Argyle socks is from 1935.