jacquard
UK[ˈdʒækɑːd]US[ˈdʒækɑːrd]
n
a fabric with an intricate woven pattern, often featuring complex designs like florals or scenes.
n
a loom attachment or a type of loom capable of producing such intricately patterned fabrics.
Etymology
the word 'jacquard' is an eponym, entering the english lexicon in the early 19th century from the french surname 'jacquard'. it honors joseph marie jacquard, the french weaver and inventor who perfected the programmable loom attachment around 1804. his invention used punched cards to control the weaving of complex patterns, revolutionizing the textile industry. the term's logic is purely referential; it moved from denoting the inventor and his specific machine to describing the intricate fabrics produced by such looms and the technology itself, solidifying its place as a common noun in textile terminology.
Analysis
this word is a loanword and proper noun eponym, derived from the surname of its inventor, joseph marie jacquard. it does not contain separable, productive morphemes in english.
Examples
the upholstery was made from a rich, red jacquard depicting scenes from a hunt.
modern jacquard looms are controlled by computers instead of punched cards.
she wore an elegant dress woven from silk jacquard.