chenille
UK[ʃəˈniːl]US[ʃəˈniːl]
n
A type of soft, thick, velvety yarn or fabric, often used for making carpets, upholstery, or decorative trimmings.
Etymology
The word 'chenille' has a charmingly literal origin. It was borrowed into English from the French word 'chenille' in the 18th century, which means 'caterpillar'. This French term itself derives from the Latin 'canicula', a diminutive of 'canis' (dog), originally referring to the Dog Star, Sirius. The semantic link to the fabric is purely visual: the soft, fuzzy, cylindrical yarn was thought to resemble the hairy body of a caterpillar. Thus, the modern abstract meaning for a luxurious textile evolved directly from this metaphorical comparison based on appearance.
Analysis
This word is a loanword from French, adopted as a single, unsegmentable unit in English.
Examples
The sofa was upholstered in a rich, red chenille.
She preferred a chenille throw blanket for its soft texture.
The craft store sold chenille in a variety of vibrant colors.