ENGLISH
REFERENCE

paisley

n. C / U
C1 Advanced US //ˈpeɪzɫi// UK //pˈeɪsli// pais·ley

n. a pattern of colorful, curved shapes that look like teardrops or leaves. It is often used on clothes like shirts, ties, and scarves.

n. a distinctive decorative pattern featuring colorful, curved, teardrop-shaped motifs. Derived from Persian and Indian designs, it became widely popular in Western fashion through the textile industry in Paisley, Scotland.


SIMPLE

He wore a blue tie with a small paisley pattern.

CONTEXTUAL

The designer chose a bold paisley fabric for the summer collection to give the dresses a vintage feel.

COMPLEX

While the motif originated in ancient Persia as the 'buta', it was the 19th-century weaving industry in Scotland that cemented the name paisley in the English lexicon.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the pattern in general; countable when referring to a specific design or fabric type.

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