arras
noun
a rich tapestry.
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arras
1 American
[ar-uhs]
/ ˈær əs /
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.
arras
2
American
[ahr-ahs, ahr-r ahs]
/ ˈɑr ɑs, ˈɑr rɑs /
noun
(used with a singular verb)
Arras
3
American
[ar-uhs, a -rahs]
/ ˈær əs, aˈrɑs /
noun
Arras
1
British
/ arɑs, ˈærəs /
noun
arras
2
British
/ ˈærəs /
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of arras1
1375–1425; late Middle English, named after Arras
Origin of arras2
< Spanish: literally, earnest money. See earnest 2
Explanation
An arras is a tapestry that's hung as a decoration, especially one decorated with complex stitched designs. There's a famous reference to an arras in Shakespeare's play Hamlet, when Polonius hides in an alcove behind an arras to eavesdrop. Imagine the kind of heavy woven tapestries you might see in a museum when you think of an arras. The name comes from the French city where they were first made, Arras in northern France. The original term for this fabric was draps d'arras, or "cloths of Arras."
Vocabulary lists containing arras
The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
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Much Ado About Nothing
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The Taming of the Shrew
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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.
At the commission's headquarters near Arras, Stephan showed us trays of objects which had been found there, including parts of boots, rusted belt buckles, shoulder badges, buttons and regimental insignia.
From BBC • Sep. 26, 2025
Meeting authors like Robledo and Arras has drawn Marez into L.A.’s literary world and taught him tricks of a trade that is often opaque to outsiders.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2024
The prefecture of the northern Pas-de-Calais region said the decision was made to evacuate the high school in Arras after police received a bomb threat via its website.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 16, 2023
The French government has deployed 7,000 troops as the perceived threat of terrorism rises in the wake of the stabbing in Arras and heightened tensions caused by the conflict in Israel and Gaza.
From Salon • Oct. 14, 2023
The Battle of Arras dragged on until the middle of May before it was called off.
From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
