macrame
UK[məˈkrɑːmi]US[ˈmækrəˌmeɪ]
n
The craft of knotting cord or string in patterns to make decorative articles.
n
Articles made using this craft.
Etymology
The word 'macrame' entered English in the 19th century from French, which borrowed it from Italian 'macramè'. The Italian term is believed to have originated from Turkish 'makrama', meaning 'napkin' or 'towel', which itself came from Arabic 'miqrama', referring to a striped cloth, veil, or embroidered veil. This Arabic noun derives from the root 'q-r-m', relating to covering or adorning. The journey of the word, from a term for a specific textile item in Arabic to the name for a decorative knotting craft in English, reflects the transmission of both the technique and its name along Mediterranean trade routes.
Analysis
The word is a loanword borrowed as a single unit from French. It is not productively formed from smaller, meaningful English morphemes.
Examples
She learned macrame to make a decorative wall hanging for her living room.
The 1970s saw a major revival of macrame for plant hangers and clothing.
The craft fair featured intricate macrame in the form of jewelry and dream catchers.