richelieu: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialized, historical
Quick answer
What does “richelieu” mean?
A type of decorative needlework lace featuring an openwork pattern, often with scalloped edges.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of decorative needlework lace featuring an openwork pattern, often with scalloped edges.
Can refer to clothing, garments, or decorative trim made from or featuring Richelieu lace. Historically, also refers to a style of openwork embroidery.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Usage is equally rare and specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes craftsmanship, historical fashion, luxury, and intricacy.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; appears almost exclusively in texts about textiles, lacemaking, or historical costume.
Grammar
How to Use “richelieu” in a Sentence
[made of] richelieu[decorated with] richelieu[a piece of] richelieuVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “richelieu” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Her dress had beautiful richelieu trim.
- The exhibition featured a richelieu bedspread from the 18th century.
American English
- She wore a dress with a delicate Richelieu collar.
- The costume designer sourced authentic Richelieu lace.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the textile industry or luxury fashion retail.
Academic
Used in studies of historical costume, textile arts, and decorative arts history.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Standard term in lacemaking, embroidery, and historical clothing conservation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “richelieu”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “richelieu”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “richelieu”
- Misspelling as 'richeliu', 'richelue'.
- Using it as a general synonym for any lace.
- Incorrect capitalisation (often lower-case when referring to the lace).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When referring specifically to the historical lace/embroidery style named after Cardinal Richelieu, it is often capitalised, especially in technical texts. In more general descriptive use ('a richelieu collar'), lower case is common.
It is a form of cutwork or drawn thread work where parts of the fabric are cut away, and the remaining threads are overcast with buttonhole stitches, creating an open, lacy pattern often with scalloped edges.
No, 'richelieu' is not used as a verb in standard English. It functions as a noun (the lace itself) or as an attributive noun/adjective (describing something made of or featuring such lace).
Yes, it is still produced by specialist lacemakers and embroiderers, both as a traditional craft and for the high-end fashion and interior decoration markets.
A type of decorative needlework lace featuring an openwork pattern, often with scalloped edges.
Richelieu is usually specialized, historical in register.
Richelieu: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɪʃ.ə.ljɜː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɪʃ.əˌluː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of Cardinal Richelieu's ornate, lace-trimmed clerical robes to remember this as a type of fancy lace.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTRICACY IS LACE ('The plan had a Richelieu-like complexity').
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you MOST likely to encounter the word 'richelieu'?