chenille

American  

[shuh-neel] / ʃəˈnil /

noun

1. a velvety cord or yarn of silk or worsted, for embroidery, fringes, etc.

2. fabric made with a fringed silken thread used as the weft in combination with wool or cotton.

3. any fabric with a protruding pile, as in certain rayon bedspreads.

4. a deep-pile, durable, woolen carpeting with chenille weft: the most expensive power-loomed floor covering.

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chenille British  

/ ʃəˈniːl /

noun

1. a thick soft tufty silk or worsted velvet cord or yarn used in embroidery and for trimmings, etc

2. a fabric of such yarn

3. a rich and hard-wearing carpet of such fabric

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Etymology

Origin of chenille

1730–40; < French: velvety cord, literally, caterpillar < Latin canīcula, with etymological sense “little dog,” though attested only in senses “shrewish woman, dogfish, Sirius” ( see canicular); for parallel use of “cat” in same sense, see caterpillar

Explanation

Chenille is a soft, tufted type of material. If fuzziness is what you want in a sweater, go for chenille (especially if you can't afford cashmere). Chenille is any sort of yarn that has long pile — that is, stringy ends that are rooted in the core. It could help you remember what chenille is if you know it’s a French word originally meaning “hairy caterpillar,” which is something it resembles. Chenille is used in making many products, including clothes and carpets. Chenille is also often used to make decorative trim on furniture or curtains.

Example Sentences

Chenille is used as a trimming for dress and furniture.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various

Chenille Embroidery.—Is very beautiful for screens, &c., but must not be used for any work that is liable to pressure.

From The Ladies' Work-Table Book Containing Clear and Practical Instructions in Plain and Fancy Needlework, Embroidery, Knitting, Netting and Crochet by Anonymous

Rug—Large Oriental—In blues, yellows, browns, or old rose and black; Wilton—in blues, yellows, brown, or old rose, and black; Axminster—in blues, yellows, browns, or old rose, and black; Chenille or velvet, in plain colors.

From Better Homes in America Plan Book for Demonstration Week October 9 to 14, 1922 by Meloney, Mrs W.B.

"Souvenirs entomologiques," 10th series, chapter 18, and "Merveilles de l'instinct: la Chenille du chou."

From Fabre, Poet of Science by Miall, Bernard

Chenille seems to have been used instead of smooth silk, much as in certain old-fashioned water-colour paintings gum was used with the paint, or over it, to deepen the shadows.

From Art in Needlework A Book about Embroidery by Buckle, Mary