Definition

1. Noun:
   • A design pattern: A pattern consisting of varicolored diamonds or lozenges on a solid background. This pattern is traditionally associated with the tartan of the Clan Campbell of Argyll in western Scotland.
   • A sock or garment: A sock, sweater, or other item knitted or woven with this distinctive diamond pattern.
   • A serving vessel: A covered dish or gravy holder, typically of silver, with a detachable central vessel for hot water to keep the contents warm.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Design):

  • The sweater featured a classic red and white argyle.
  • Argyle is a popular pattern for winter knitwear.

• Noun (Garment):

  • He wore a pair of woolen argyles with his loafers.
  • Her favorite Christmas gift was a new argyle vest.

• Noun (Vessel):

  • The antique silver argyle kept the gravy at the perfect temperature throughout the meal.
  • A proper dinner service of the era included an argyle for the table.

Advanced Usage

• "Argyle pattern": Used to specify the design itself.

  • The fabric was printed with a subtle argyle pattern.

• Used attributively (as an adjective) to describe items featuring the pattern.

  • He preferred argyle socks over plain ones.
  • The argyle design on the tie was very sophisticated.

Variants and Related Words

• Argyle (adjective): Describing something that has the argyle pattern.

  • An argyle sweater.

• Diamond pattern: A more general term for a design of repeated diamond shapes, of which argyle is a specific, colored type.

Synonyms

• Diamond pattern (general)
• Tartan design (related, as argyle is derived from a tartan)
• Checkered pattern (broader category)

Notes on Meaning

• The term originates from Argyll, a region in western Scotland. The pattern is based on the tartan of the Clan Campbell, who were the Dukes of Argyll.
• The first meaning (the design) is the most common in modern usage, especially in fashion.
• The second meaning (the sock) is often used in the plural form ().
• The third meaning (the gravy holder) is historical and specialized, relating to formal dining in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Noun

1. a sock knitted or woven with an argyle design (usually used in the plural)
2. a design consisting of a pattern of varicolored diamonds on a solid background (originally for knitted articles); patterned after the tartan of a clan in western Scotland
3. a covered gravy holder of silver or other metal containing a detachable central vessel for hot water to keep the gravy warm