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tapestry Definition

tap·es·try (tapəs trē)

noun pl. tapestries -·tries

a heavy cloth woven by hand or machinery with decorative designs and pictures and used as a wall hanging, furniture covering, etc.

Etymology: LME tapsterie, earlier tapicerie < MFr tapisserie < OFr tapis, a carpet < MGr tapētion < Gr, dim. of tapēs (gen. tapētos), a carpet, prob. < Iran, as in Pers tāftan, to twist, spin < IE *temp- < base *ten-, to stretch > thin

transitive verb tapestried -·tried, tapestrying -·try·ing

to decorate as with a tapestry: usually in the pp.
tapestry Synonyms

tapestry

n.

tapestry Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • color: This area is being given new life - the emphasis is still on creating a tapestry of color in the cottage garden style.
  • sound: A rich tapestry of sounds - with some blinding guitar work - supports the strong vocals... this is a really great composition.
  • story: I remember your darkly woven poetry; your saturated tapestry of overlapping stories.

Converse of object

  • weave: Man weaves a mythical tapestry of nature's moods.
  • embroider: Instead, invest in large cushions in embroidered, tapestry or faux fur and suede for ultimate luxury.
  • commission: The sofas in the drawing room are covered in a specially commissioned tapestry.
  • create: This area is being given new life - the emphasis is still on creating a tapestry of color in the cottage garden style.

Adjective modifier

  • Gobelin: A view of the Gobelin Tapestry of ' Joseph and His Brothers ' , which hangs on the west wall.
  • rich: The rich tapestry on offer is here clearly revealed.
  • intricate: Some were aggressive, some peaceful, but all helped to weave an intricate tapestry of peoples, culture and traditions.
  • colorful: The rood screen is also 14th century and a colorful tapestry hangs on the west wall.

Modifies a noun

  • hanging: We sat waiting for the bride in a room painted in a cool shade of blue with tapestry wall hangings on each wall.
  • weaver: The cartoons were sent to the Brussels workshop of tapestry weaver Pieter van Aelst in early 1517.
  • cartoon: The room is dominated by two tapestry cartoons by Penni, a student of Raphael.
  • canvas: Commonly known as Tapestry, embroidery on tapestry canvas is also known as Canvas Work or, in the USA, as Needlepoint.
  • kit: Retreat Tapestry Limited edition tapestry kits from the highlands of Scotland.
  • portrait: N 6 is the tapestry number in the series of 9, including the tapestry portrait of Queen Victoria.
tapestry Quotes

   How few the days are that hold the mind in place; like a tapestry hanging on four or five hooks. Especially the day you stop becoming; the day you merelyare. I suppose it's when the principles dissolve, and instead of the general gray of what ought to be you begin to see what is† The word 'Now' is like a bomb through the window, and it ticks.

—Miller, Arthur

Browse dictionary entries near tapestry

  1. tapestries
  2. tapestried
  3. tapering
  4. taper off
  5. taper
  6. tapenade
  7. tapeline
  8. taped
  9. tape transport
  10. tape recorder
  1. tapestrying
  2. tapeta
  3. tapetal
  4. tapetum
  5. tapeworm
  6. taphonomic
  7. taphonomical
  8. taphonomist
  9. taphonomy
  10. taphouse