breton lace: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialized/Technical
Quick answer
What does “breton lace” mean?
A decorative textile, a type of lace traditionally made by hand in the Brittany region of France.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A decorative textile, a type of lace traditionally made by hand in the Brittany region of France.
Specifically refers to lace characterized by raised, cord-like outlines outlining its motifs, often depicting regional symbols, flowers, or religious iconography. It can also refer to modern machine-made lace imitating this traditional style.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both refer to the same textile craft.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes traditional craftsmanship, French heritage, and often high quality. It may also connote a degree of specialist knowledge.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, appearing primarily in contexts related to textiles, fashion history, crafts, and tourism.
Grammar
How to Use “breton lace” in a Sentence
NOUN + made of Breton laceVERB (to weave/make/create) + Breton laceADJ (traditional/handmade/fine) + Breton laceVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the fashion and textile industries to describe a specific product category or sourcing detail, e.g., 'The collection features jackets trimmed with authentic Breton lace.'
Academic
Used in studies of textile history, European folk art, and material culture, e.g., 'The socio-economic factors influencing 19th-century Breton lace production are analysed.'
Everyday
Rare. Might occur in travel conversations about souvenirs from France or discussions about vintage clothing, e.g., 'My grandmother's wedding veil was made of Breton lace.'
Technical
Core usage. Specific to textile arts, lace-making techniques, costume history, and museum conservation, e.g., 'Conservators noted the distinctive 'raised cordonnet' technique of the Breton lace sample.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “breton lace”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “breton lace”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “breton lace”
- Capitalization error: It is not typically capitalized unless starting a sentence (unlike 'Breton' alone, which is always capitalized).
- Spelling error: Confusing 'Breton' with 'Britain' or 'Briton'.
- Misuse: Using it as a general term for any lace.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically and authentically, yes. The term denotes the specific tradition from Brittany. However, modern imitations or lace made in the same style elsewhere may also be labelled as 'Breton lace'.
Yes. While the term originally refers to handmade lace, machine-made lace that replicates the distinctive raised-cord style is also commonly sold as Breton lace.
Breton lace is distinguished by its raised outlines (cordonnet) and often features symbolic motifs like anchors or regional flowers. Chantilly is a fine, lightweight black silk lace, and Alençon is a delicate needlepoint lace with a fine net ground and cordonnet outline.
No. In British English, it is closer to /ˈbret.ɒ̃/ (with a nasalised vowel), and in American English, it is /ˈbrɛt.ɑːn/ (rhyming with 'bet' and 'on'). 'Britain' is pronounced /ˈbrɪt.ən/.
A decorative textile, a type of lace traditionally made by hand in the Brittany region of France.
Breton lace is usually specialized/technical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BRETON from BRITTANY + LACE. A BRETON STRIPE is a famous shirt from Brittany; BRETON LACE is its delicate, intricate cousin.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable for this concrete, technical noun.
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining characteristic of traditional Breton lace?