Definition

Proper noun 1. A port city in southeastern France on the Mediterranean: A major city and prefecture in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, known as France's largest commercial port. * Marseille is a vibrant and historic city on the French coast.

Noun (often lowercase) 1. A strong cotton fabric with a raised pattern; used for bedspreads: A type of heavy, durable cotton cloth, typically white, featuring a woven, raised design. * The vintage bed was covered with a thick marseille spread.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (City):
  • We took a ferry from Corsica to Marseille.
  • The famous soap originates from Marseille.
• Noun (Fabric):
  • She preferred the texture of marseille for her quilt.
  • The curtains were made of a heavy white marseille.

Advanced Usage

• The fabric term is derived from the city name, as the cloth was originally associated with Marseille.
  • The marseille weave gives the fabric its distinctive texture.

Variants and Related Words

• Marseilles: An alternative spelling for both the city name and the fabric.
  • The Treaty of Marseilles was signed there.

Synonyms

• For the city: (None; it is a unique proper noun).
• For the fabric: matelassé (a similar textured fabric), quilted cotton.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The primary and most common reference is to the French city. The fabric meaning is specialized and primarily used in historical or textile contexts. When capitalized ("Marseille"), it almost always refers to the city.

Noun

1. strong cotton fabric with a raised pattern; used for bedspreads
2. a port city in southeastern France on the Mediterranean