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cloth Definition

cloth (klôt̸h, klät̸h)

noun pl. clothsklôt̸hz, klät̸hz; also klôt̸hs, klät̸hs for “kinds of cloth''

  1. a woven, knitted, or pressed fabric of fibrous material, as cotton, wool, silk, hair, or synthetic fibers
  2. a piece of such fabric for a specific use tablecloth, washcloth, loincloth

Etymology: ME < OE clath, cloth, hence garment, akin to -clithan, to stick, clitha, poultice < IE *gleit- (> Ger kleid, dress) < base *glei-, to stick > clay

adjective

  1. made of cloth
  2. clothbound

cloth Idioms

the cloth

  1. the usual or identifying dress of a profession, esp. of the clergy
  2. the clergy collectively
cloth Synonyms

cloth

n.

  1. fabric, material, stuff, goods, dry goods, textiles, weave, tissue, twill, yard goods, synthetics, rag.

    Types of cloth include: canvas, linen, piqué, broadcloth, percale, poplin, lawn, chintz, gingham, muslin, lisle, gabardine, chambray, cambric, calico, drill, cotton, terry, khaki, denim, permanent press denim, dimity, tweed, serge, homespun, cheviot, cashmere, worsted, wool, plaid, flannel, silk, mercerized cotton, taffeta, pongee, satin, crepe de Chine, damask, voile chiffon, alpaca, velvet, corduroy, plush, hopsacking, brocade, vicuña, angora, blanketing, bagging, bunting, carpeting, ramie, sacking, skirting, felt, oilcloth, burlap, tarpaulin, organza, organdy, sharkskin.

  2. Types of synthetic cloth include: nylon, rayon, viscose rayon, acrylic, polyester, olefin, polyethelene, acetate; Dacron, Orlon, Acrilan, Avril, Spandex, Saran, Gore-Tex, Terylene, Vinyon, Naugahyde (all trademarks).

cloth Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • weave: The machine - used for weaving cloths like damask - was a British first.
  • soak: Handle, seat, trap should be wiped with a damp cloth soaked in a solution of disinfectant eg.
  • moisten: Remember to use only cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol.
  • embroider: A starchy white embroidered table cloth covers the table beside him.
  • swaddle: They dressed him in green swaddling cloth, and named him Alder.

Adjective modifier

  • woolen: By the end of the 17th century a large amount of woolen cloth was being sold in the markets of Leeds.
  • damp: A fire blanket or damp cloth should be used on a fat pan fire.
  • lint-free: Special lint-free cleaning cloth for cleaning the scan area.
  • coarse: The simple cap was made of thick, coarse woolen cloth.
  • scarlet: Original scarlet cloth, illustrated with figure of a Chinaman.
  • soft: Clean out the tin, with a soft damp cloth, try not to bend the tin at all.

Modifies a noun

  • diaper: Tom's cloth diapers were too big for his baby clothes!
  • diaper: My mom chewed my food for me, used cloth diapers, and washed me with rice bran.
  • stitch: One thing about these designs is that you cannot work one piece of cloth stitch ( or half stitch ) at a time.

Noun used with modifier

  • loin: They wear few clothes apart from a loin cloth or skirt of goat skin.
  • burp: Terries can also be used as boosters, burp cloths, on a changing mat and for general babycare.
  • microfibre: Hundreds of thousands of small pockets in the microfibre cloth aggressively capture the dust and dirt from the film.
  • terry: They come complete with a " real feel " , battery powered heartbeat, and a terry cloth pouch for a feeding bottle.
  • emery: The final coat can be rubbed with dampened emery cloth for a fine, soft, matte finish.
  • polishing: The cleaning rod comes with cleaning cloth and polishing cloth.
cloth Quotes

Fine cloth is never out of fashion.

—Fuller,Thomas

No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

—Bible (NewTestament)

And there he plays extravagant matches In fitless finger-stalls On a cloth untrue With a twisted cue And elliptical billiard balls.

—Gilbert, Sir W(illiam) S(chwenck)