tapestry

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a thick woven textile with a picture or decorative design, especially one hung on a wall

   A medieval tapestry covered the cold stone wall of the hall.

2. 2
   noun

   a complex combination of people, events, or ideas that forms a rich whole

   The novel weaves memory and myth into a vivid tapestry of family life.

Simplified etymology

Tapestry entered English in the late Middle Ages from French tapis, “carpet.” The connection reflects an era when valuable carpets were commonly displayed on walls or used as table coverings rather than walked on.

From Middle English tapestrie and Old French tapisserie, ultimately related to Ancient Greek tapes ('carpet, rug'), probably itself from an Iranian source. The figurative sense treats varied experiences or ideas as colored threads woven into a single design.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary