moire

[ mwahr, mawr, mohr ]

/ mwɑr, mɔr, moʊr /

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noun

any moiré fabric.

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Origin of moire

1650–60; <French <English mohair

Other definitions for moire (2 of 2)

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.

Origin of moiré

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use moire in a sentence

In the Middle Ages moire was held in high esteem, and continues to enjoy that distinction down to the present day.
Textiles|William H. Dooley
At the present time moire work is done which costs as high as 25 cents per yard.
Textiles|William H. Dooley
How about little white moire paper boxes with some pretty flower on the cover?
Three Little Women|Gabrielle E. Jackson
The queen is costumed in a moire antique dress, of a showy color, hair hanging loosely over the shoulder.
Home Pastimes; or Tableaux Vivants|James H. Head

She is very tall and handsome, and was superb in a white lace shawl, a moire-antique with a train.
Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee|(His Son) Captain Robert E. Lee

British Dictionary definitions for moire (1 of 2)

moire

/ (mwɑː) /

noun

a fabric, usually silk, having a watered effect

Word Origin for moire

C17: from French, earlier mouaire, from mohair

British Dictionary definitions for moire (2 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

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