arras

[ ar-uh s ]

/ ˈær əs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR arras ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a rich tapestry.

a tapestry weave.

a wall hanging, as a tapestry or similar object.

Theater. a curtain suspended loosely across a stage and used as a backdrop or part of a stage setting.

RELATED WORDS

drapery, hanging, dosser

Nearby words

arrangement, arrangements, arranger, arrant, arrantly, arras, arrau, arrau, claudio, array, arrayal, arrayed

Origin of arras

1375–1425; late Middle English, named after Arras

Related formsar·rased, adjective

Definition for arras (2 of 4)

arras

[ ahr-ahs; Spanish ahr-rahs ]

/ ˈɑr ɑs; Spanish ˈɑr rɑs /

noun (used with a singular verb)

a gift presented at marriage by a husband to his wife in consideration of her dowry.

Origin of arras

< Spanish: literally, earnest money. See earnest²

Definition for arras (3 of 4)

Arras

[ ar-uh s; French a-rahs ]

/ ˈær əs; French aˈrɑs /

noun

a city in and capital of Pas-de-Calais, in N France: battles in World War I.

Definition for arras (4 of 4)

Pas-de-Calais

[ pahduh-ka-le ]

/ pɑdə kaˈlɛ /

noun

a department in N France. 2607 sq. mi. (6750 sq. km). Capital: Arras.

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

Examples from the Web for arras

The area of the German withdrawal had spread over a front of a hundred miles from Arras in the north to Soissons in the south.
A Short History of the Great War|A. F. Pollard
He was nominated by S. Aubert, bishop of Arras, his vicar216general.
The Lives of the Saints, Volume III (of 16): March|Sabine Baring-Gould
Louis entered Arras on March 4th, and Marie soon found that her troubles had but just begun.
Women of Medival France|Pierce Butler
Malcolm next suddenly raised up the arras, which with as much haste and promptitude he let fall behind him and Bruce.
The Eve of All-Hallows, Vol. 3 (of 3)|Matthew Weld Hartstonge

From the first days of October this army waged violent conflicts in the region of Arras and of Lens.
The Story of the Great War, Volume II (of VIII)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for arras (1 of 3)

arras

/ (ˈærəs) /

noun

a wall hanging, esp of tapestry

British Dictionary definitions for arras (2 of 3)

Arras

/ (ˈærəs, French arɑs) /

noun

a town in N France: formerly famous for tapestry; severely damaged in both World Wars. Pop: 40 590 (1999)

British Dictionary definitions for arras (3 of 3)

Pas-de-Calais

/ (French pɑdkalɛ) /

noun

a department of N France, in Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, on the Straits of Dover (the Pas de Calais): the part of France closest to the British Isles. Capital: Arras. Pop: 1 451 307 (2003 est). Area: 6752 sq km (2633 sq miles)

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 arras

arras

"pictured tapestry," late 14c., from Anglo-French draps d'arras, from Arras, city in France where pictured tapestries were made, from Latin Atrebates, name of a tribe of the Belgae who inhabited the Artois region; probably literally "inhabitants," from a Celtic trebu "tribe."