jacquard
C2Technical / Formal
Definition
Meaning
A type of fabric with an intricate woven pattern, created using a specific type of loom mechanism.
The weaving loom or the mechanism invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard that allows for complex patterns to be woven automatically. Also used to describe fabrics produced using this method (e.g., jacquard silk, jacquard upholstery).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term primarily functions as a noun attributively (jacquard loom, jacquard fabric) but can also be used as a mass noun ("a lot of jacquard"). It names both the technology and the product.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes quality, intricacy, and traditional craftsmanship, often associated with luxury textiles.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, used primarily in contexts of textiles, fashion, interior design, and historical technology.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[fabric/material] made of jacquarda [item] in jacquardwoven in a jacquard patternVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in textile manufacturing, fashion retail, and interior furnishings to specify product type and quality.
Academic
Found in historical texts on the Industrial Revolution, studies on textile arts, and fashion history.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used when discussing high-end bedding, curtains, or formal wear fabrics.
Technical
Precise term in weaving, loom mechanics, and textile engineering.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The jacquard mechanism revolutionised the textile industry.
- She selected a jacquard upholstery for the armchair.
American English
- The drapes were made from a heavy jacquard fabric.
- He studied the original jacquard punch cards.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The sofa is covered in a beautiful jacquard fabric.
- The exhibition featured an original 19th-century jacquard loom.
- This design is too complex for anything but a jacquard weave.
- The invention of the jacquard loom is considered a seminal moment in the history of programmable machines.
- Modern electronic jacquard mechanisms allow for even greater design flexibility than the original punch-card system.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'JACK' who is an 'ART'ist weaves complex patterns on a 'JACQUARD' loom.
Conceptual Metaphor
TECHNOLOGY AS A KEY TO COMPLEXITY (the loom mechanism 'unlocks' intricate patterns).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as жакард (which is a card game). The Russian term is жакардовый ткань or жакардовая ткань.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronunciation (e.g., 'jay-quard').
- Using as a verb (e.g., 'to jacquard a fabric' is non-standard).
- Confusing it with a brand name for a type of fabric rather than a weaving method.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'jacquard' primarily?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, yes, when referring directly to the inventor or the specific loom (Jacquard loom). However, in common usage for the fabric ('a jacquard'), it is often lowercased.
While strictly a weaving term, in modern textiles 'jacquard' is sometimes used loosely to describe complex knitted patterns (e.g., jacquard knit sweaters), though purists distinguish this as 'Jacquard-style'.
Brocade is a type of richly decorative shuttle-woven fabric, often made with metallic threads. Jacquard is the method (using the Jacquard loom) used to weave brocade, damask, and other complex fabrics. All brocade is jacquard-woven, but not all jacquard fabric is brocade.
Often, yes. The process is more complex and time-consuming than plain weaving, which is reflected in the cost, especially for natural fibres like silk or high-quality cotton jacquard.