figured-fabric loom
Noun: A figured-fabric loom is a specific type of loom designed for weaving fabrics with complex, non-repeating patterns or designs. These patterns, known as "figures," are distinct from simple, repeating geometric weaves.
This term is a technical compound noun used within the textile and weaving industries. It refers to the machinery itself. * The museum's collection includes an antique figured-fabric loom used for creating elaborate brocades. * Modern figured-fabric looms are often computerized for precision.
The term is highly specialized. In historical contexts, it may refer to specific loom types like the drawloom or Jacquard loom before the latter became the predominant term for mechanized pattern weaving. * The transition from the traditional figured-fabric loom to the Jacquard mechanism revolutionized the textile industry.
- Jacquard loom: A more common and specific term for a power-loom that uses punched cards to control the weaving of complex figured fabrics. A Jacquard loom is a type of figured-fabric loom.
- Drawloom: An earlier, manually-operated type of figured-fabric loom where a "drawboy" controlled the warp threads to create the pattern.
- Figured fabric: The product created by such a loom, e.g., brocade, damask, or tapestry.
- Pattern loom
- Design loom (These are descriptive but less standard technical terms.)
The core meaning is defined by its function: a loom for figured fabrics. It does not refer to looms for plain weaves, simple stripes, or standard repeating patterns like twill. The "figure" implies a pictorial or elaborate decorative motif woven into the fabric structure.
- a loom for weaving figured fabrics