a soft woolen fabric woven with a pattern of colorful and minutely detailed figures.
a shawl, scarf, tie, or other article made of this fabric.
a silk print simulating this fabric and weave.
Also called paisley print. a pattern resembling the design or figure on this fabric or material.
made of paisley.
a paisley shawl.
having the pattern of a paisley.
a pattern of small curving shapes with intricate detailing, usually printed in bright colours
a soft fine wool fabric traditionally printed with this pattern
a garment made of this fabric, esp a shawl popular in the late 19th century
(modifier) of or decorated with this pattern
a paisley scarf
Bob. 1919–96, English footballer and manager: played for Liverpool (1939–54); under his management (1974–83) Liverpool won six English titles and the European Cup three times (1977, 1978, 1981)
Ian ( Richard Kyle ) Baron. born 1926, Northern Ireland politician and Presbyterian minister; cofounder (1972) and leader of the Ulster Democratic Unionist Party, First Minister of Northern Ireland from 2007 to 2008
First recorded in 1825–35; named after Paisley
If your favorite scarf is printed with a pattern consisting of shapes that look like drops of water, you are a fan of paisley and its swirly curves and colors. This Scottish toponym, or place name, (from the town of Paisley, in Renfrewshire) denotes a fabric design that was massively manufactured there in the 19th century. A paisley design itself is Middle Eastern in origin though, having traveled to Europe in the colonial period and become so popular that import could not meet demand.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Further investigation uncovered a full skeleton with a faded, paisley dress and pointed heels.
From New York Times • May 16, 2024
The set is a faithful recreation of Bob Marley & The Wailers' Exodus tour, filled with extras in paisley shirts, bell-bottom flares and false moustaches.
From BBC • Jan. 25, 2024
But, he said people should not expect to see astronauts in "paisley spacesuits or any fancy patterns like that. Maintaining a good thermal environment is really the critical thing".
From BBC • Oct. 5, 2023
It’s why he’s used it only twice in the history of the brand, most recently on a fluffy white fleece jacket with a navy symmetrical blue paisley print.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2023
I was flabbergasted to find they still had it—I suppose it must be part of my file and they are still hunting for unrevealed code in the paisley.
From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein
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.
