Definition

Noun: 1. A coarse, woven fabric: A sturdy textile, historically made with a cotton warp (the lengthwise threads) and a wool weft (the filling threads). 2. A rug or floor covering: A rug, typically of a low-cost and durable nature, made from this coarse fabric. It is often used as a protective or decorative floor covering.

Usage

• As a material: "Drugget" primarily refers to the type of fabric itself, known for its durability and rough texture.
• As a finished product: The word is also used to name the rug or carpet made from this fabric. These were common in the 18th and 19th centuries as less expensive alternatives to finer carpets, often placed under dining tables or in hallways.

Examples

• Noun (Material):
  • The merchant sold bolts of coarse drugget for making hard-wearing work clothes.
  • Historically, drugget was a popular choice for upholstery in carriages due to its strength.
• Noun (Rug/Covering):
  • A faded green drugget lay in front of the fireplace.
  • To protect the expensive Persian carpet, they covered it with a plain drugget.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Descriptive Context: The term "drugget" is now somewhat archaic and is most commonly encountered in historical novels, antique descriptions, or texts about traditional crafts and interior design.
  • The museum's period room featured a simple drugget on the floor, accurately representing middle-class homes of the era.

Variants and Related Words

• Baize: A similar coarse woollen (or cotton-wool blend) fabric, often used for covering gaming tables (like billiard or card tables) or as a protective cloth. While similar, baize is typically napped (brushed to create a soft surface) and may be of a finer quality than traditional drugget.
• Hearthrug: A rug laid in front of a fireplace. A drugget could serve as a hearthrug.
• Runner: A long, narrow rug for a hallway or passage. Drugget was commonly made into runners.

Synonyms

• Coarse cloth
• Homespun (refers to a simple, handwoven fabric)
• Rug (specifically for the floor covering sense)
• Matting (refers to a coarse fabric, often of plant fibres, used for floor coverings)

Antonyms

• Broadloom (a wide, finely woven carpet)
• Tapestry (a heavy, decorative fabric with woven designs)
• Silk
• Satin

Noun

1. a rug made of a coarse fabric having a cotton warp and a wool filling