VELVET Definition & Meaning

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velvet

[ vel-vit ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a fabric of silk, nylon, acetate, rayon, etc., sometimes having a cotton backing, with a thick, soft pile formed of loops of the warp thread either cut at the outer end or left uncut.
something likened to the fabric velvet, as in softness or texture:
the velvet of her touch; the velvet of the lawn.
the soft, deciduous covering of a growing antler.
Informal. a very pleasant, luxurious, desirable situation.
Informal.
1. money gained through gambling; winnings.
2. clear gain or profit, especially when more than anticipated.

adjective

Also ��v��·��. made of velvet or covered with velvet.
Also ��v��·��. resembling or suggesting velvet; smooth; soft; velvety:
a velvet night; a cat's velvet fur.

velvet

/ ˈ��ɛ��ɪ�� /

noun

1. a fabric of silk, cotton, nylon, etc, with a thick close soft usually lustrous pile
2. ( as modifier )
  velvet curtains
anything with a smooth soft surface
1. smoothness; softness
2. ( as modifier )
  a velvet night
  velvet skin
the furry covering of the newly formed antlers of a deer
slang.
1. gambling or speculative winnings
2. a gain, esp when unexpectedly high
velvet glove
gentleness or caution, often concealing strength or determination (esp in the phrase an iron fist or hand in a velvet glove )

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Derived Forms

ˈ��-ˌ��, adjective
ˈ��ٲ�, adjective

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of velvet¹

1275–1325; Middle English velvet, veluet, veluwet < Old French veluotte, equivalent to velu (< Medieval Latin vil ( l ) ū�ٳܲ�; Latin vill ( us ) shaggy nap ( villus ) + Late Latin -ū�ٳܲ� for Latin -��ٳܲ� -ate ¹ ) + -otte noun suffix

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of velvet¹

C14: veluet, from Old French veluotte, from velu hairy, from Vulgar Latin villutus (unattested), from Latin villus shaggy hair

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Idioms and Phrases

see under iron hand .

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

There’s something undeniably funny about watching people wriggle around beneath the red velvet curtains of their box seats, shouting back and forth with the group.

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A plush, red velvet fauteuil tucked into the lower right corner of the picture is like an upscale launching pad, which has propelled the man to the balustrade along a tall French window.

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Surrounded by an abundance of velvet furniture and dimly lit portraiture, the “Guilty Conscious” singer was in Los Angeles during a quick break from her world tour.

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The current view is not much: Putricia stands silent and tall in front of a brown curtain, comfortably ensconced behind a red velvet rope.

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Her black velvet dress trimmed in elaborate silver is an eye-grabber.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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