moire

¹

[ mwahr, mawr, mohr ]

noun

1. any moiré fabric.

moiré

²

[ mwah-rey, mawr-ey, mohr-ey; French mwa-rey ]

adjective

1. (of silks and other fabrics) presenting a watery or wavelike appearance.

noun

1. a design pressed on silk, rayon, etc., by engraved rollers.
2. any silk, rayon, etc., fabric with a watery or wavelike appearance.
3. Printing. an interference pattern of dots appearing in the print of process color.

moire

¹

/ mwɑː /

noun

1. a fabric, usually silk, having a watered effect

moiré

²

/ ˈmwɑːreɪ /

adjective

1. having a watered or wavelike pattern

noun

1. such a pattern, impressed on fabrics by means of engraved rollers
2. any fabric having such a pattern; moire
3. Alsomoiré pattern a pattern seen when two geometrical patterns, such as grids, are visually superimposed

Word History and Origins

Origin of moire¹

1650–60; < French < English mohair

Origin of moire²

From French, dating back to 1810–20; moire, -ee

Word History and Origins

Origin of moire¹

C17: from French, earlier mouaire, from mohair

Origin of moire²

C17: from French, from moire mohair

Example Sentences

Judging by the baffled reactions of fairgoers, Moiré failed to provoke much ambivalence.

From The Daily Beast

James handed his mistress a charming toy of pink moiré antique silk and point lace, mounted on a handle of carved ivory.

From Project Gutenberg

Avoid satin or velvet cuffs, moiré neck ribbons and fancy coat buttons as you would the plague.

From Project Gutenberg

In other cases the belt matches the full bodice, and is of moiré or Petersham ribbon.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the finest cloth, lilac-coloured, the best of moiré of the same colour.

From Project Gutenberg

The furniture was covered with silver moiré, adorned with nails of turquoise.

From Project Gutenberg