moiré

[ mwah-rey, mawr-ey, mohr-ey; French mwa-rey ]
/ mwɑˈreɪ, ˈmɔr eɪ, ˈmoʊr eɪ; French mwaˈreɪ /

adjective

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

noun

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

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DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
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decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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Origin of moiré

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

Words nearby moiré

moiety, moil, moira, moirai, moire, moiré, moiré effect, moiseivich, moiseyev, moism, moissan
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for moiré (1 of 2)

moiré
/ (ˈmwɑːreɪ) /

adjective

having a watered or wavelike pattern

noun

such a pattern, impressed on fabrics by means of engraved rollers
any fabric having such a pattern; moire
Also: moiré pattern a pattern seen when two geometrical patterns, such as grids, are visually superimposed

Word Origin for moiré

C17: from French, from moire mohair

British Dictionary definitions for moiré (2 of 2)

moire
/ (mwɑː) /

noun

a fabric, usually silk, having a watered effect

Word Origin for moire

C17: from French, earlier mouaire, from mohair
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