Definition

1. Noun:

   • A silk fabric that has a distinctive wavy, rippled, or watered appearance on its surface. This effect is created through a specific calendering or pressing process during manufacturing.

2. Adjective:

   • Describing a textile, typically silk, that possesses a wavy, shimmering pattern resembling the surface of water.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The evening gown was made of a luxurious moire that shimmered under the lights.
  • Traditional formalwear often incorporated moire for its elegant, lustrous finish.

• Adjective:

  • She chose a moire ribbon to add a subtle texture to the decoration.
  • The moire effect on the fabric gave it a unique, watery sheen.

Advanced Usage

• "Moire effect" or "Moire pattern": In a broader, technical context beyond textiles, this refers to an optical interference pattern created when two grids or sets of lines are overlaid at an angle or with different spacing. This is common in printing, television, and digital imaging.
  • The scanner created an unwanted moire pattern on the printed photograph of the brick wall.

Variants and Related Words

• Moireing (n): The process of creating the moire pattern on fabric.
• Watered silk: A synonym for moire fabric, referring to the same wavy, aqueous appearance.

Synonyms

• Watered silk (n): Specifically for the fabric.
• Waved (adj): For the patterned appearance.
• Rippled (adj): For the patterned appearance.

Antonyms

• Matte (adj): Having a dull, non-reflective surface.
• Plain (adj): Lacking a pattern or texture.

Notes

• The term is often used attributively (as an adjective before a noun) to describe other materials that mimic this wavy pattern, such as moire taffeta or moire paper.
• The word is pronounced similarly to "mwar" and is sometimes seen with an accent (moiré), reflecting its French origin.

Adjective

1. (of silk fabric) having a wavelike pattern

Noun

1. silk fabric with a wavy surface pattern