strass

¹ American  

[stras] / stræs /

noun

1. a flint glass with a high lead content, used to imitate gemstones.

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strass ² American  

[stras] / stræs /

noun

1. silk waste produced in making skeins.

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strass British  

/ stræs /

noun

1. jewellery another word for paste 1

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Etymology

Origin of strass¹

1810–20; < German, named after J. Strasser, 18th-century German jeweler who invented it

Origin of strass²

1855–60; < French strasse < Italian straccio, noun derivative of stracciare to tear < Vulgar Latin *extractiare, derivative of Latin extractus ( extract )

Example Sentences

Layered dresses in pastel fabrics were followed by a mauve feather jacket and evening gowns embellished with strass.

From Reuters • Jul. 6, 2021

Rhinestone, rīn′stōn, n. an imitation gem-stone made of paste or strass.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

From the formula given is made the material known as "strass," or "paste," and stones made of it are mostly exhibited under and amongst brilliant artificial lights.

From The Chemistry, Properties and Tests of Precious Stones by Mastin, John

And he glanced from her to Sophy—telling himself how much more really beautiful Sophy was in her soft grey and pearls than Belinda in her pansy purple and rococo necklace of amethysts and strass.

From Shadows of Flames A Novel by Rives, Amélie