velvetyadj.
/ˈvɛlvᵻti/, U.S. /ˈvɛlvədi/ 1. in combination.1847 A. Wood Class-bk. Bot. (ed. 2) 209 Leaves..velvety-tomentose.1878 Mrs. F. D. Bridges Jrnl. Lady's Trav. round World Aug. (1883) i. 2 Our ship moving almost noiselessly across the velvety-looking sea.
a. Having the smooth and soft appearance or feel of velvet.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > types of softness > [adjective] > soft and smooth
softc1275
velvet1592
Serian1605
silk-like1672
velvet-like1677
velvety1752
silky1757
swanskin1925
the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > smoothness > [adjective] > like specific substance or material
silken1513
marble1558
ivorya1586
velvet1592
satin1605
silka1616
velvet-like1677
satin-like1680
satined1693
satiny1693
velvety1752
marbly1814
satin-smooth1838
ivorine1888
ivoried1890
swanskin1925
1752 J. Hill Gen. Nat. Hist. III. 77 The oriental velvety Papilio, with short antennæ.
1796 W. Withering Arrangem. Brit. Plants (ed. 3) III. 569 Leaves very soft, and almost velvety.
1808 C. Vancouver Gen. View Agric. Devon xiv. 337 Skin loose, free, and velvety to the touch.
1830 J. Lindley Introd. Nat. Syst. Bot. 185 Their stigmas generally long and velvety externally.
1882 Garden 10 June 399/3 Its dark velvety and rich yellow flowers are very fine indeed.
b. Applied to colours. (Cf. velvet n. Compounds 1c.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > quality of colour > [adjective] > velvety
velvety1819
1819 J. F. Stephens Shaw's Gen. Zool. XI. i. 135 The under part of the wings are of a fine velvety black.
1876 W. Black Madcap Violet vii She was calling attention..to the light velvety green.
1883 ‘Ouida’ Wanda I. 40 A deep brown hue, like the velvety brown of a stag's throat.
2. Characteristic of velvet; similar to that of velvet.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > smoothness > [adjective] > like specific substance or material > characteristic of velvet
velvety1846
the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > attractive or impressive quality > [adjective] > soft
silky1666
velvety1880
1846 G. E. Day tr. J. F. Simon Animal Chem. II. 397 Presenting a beautiful white velvety appearance.
1847–9 Todd's Cycl. Anat. & Physiol. IV. i. 143/2 Of velvety look and feel.
1880 Daily Tel. 16 Feb. The well-remembered tones had lost something of their old velvety quality.
1884 Law Times Rep. 50 421/1 It is the grouping and velvety effect they produce which is original.
3.
a. figurative. Unusually or attractively smooth, soft, or gentle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > [adjective] > agreeable in manner > bland or suave > of conduct or words
smoothc1400
sarcenet1598
fair-spoken1611
urbane1659
velvety1861
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > pleasantness of sound > [adjective] > gentle or not harsh
smalleOE
softc1230
gentle1548
softly1576
melting1585
mellow1650
dulcified1684
tender1709
silken1785
smooth1836
velvety1896
1861 H. S. Cunningham Wheat & Tares 82 The other's velvety manner made him chafe and fret.
1896 Strand Mag. 12 329/1 The tiny bells of the lime-blossoms..mingled their soft, velvety murmur with the other peaceful sounds of Nature.
b. Smooth and soft to the taste.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > taste and flavour > savouriness > [adjective]
likingeOE
goodOE
lickerousc1275
deliciousa1325
daintya1382
dainteousc1386
daintiful1393
delicatea1398
merrya1398
savourlyc1400
liciousc1420
savourousa1425
daintethc1430
lustyc1430
feelsomea1450
nuttya1450
seasonablea1475
delicativec1475
unctuous1495
well-tasteda1500
daintive1526
savoury1533
exquisite1561
spicy1562
well-relished?1575
finger-licking1584
toothsome1584
taste-pleasinga1586
daint1590
relishsome1593
lickerish1595
tastesome1598
friand1599
tooth-tempting1603
relishing1605
well-relishing1608
neat1609
hungry1611
palate-pleasing1611
tasteful1611
palatea1617
tastya1617
palatable1619
toothful1622
sipid1623
unsoured1626
famelic1631
tasteablea1641
piquant1645
sapid1646
saporousa1670
slape1671
palativea1682
flavorous1697
nice1709
well-flavoured1717
gusty1721
flavoury1727
fine-palated1735
unrepulsive1787
degustatory1824
zesty1826
peckish1845
mouth-watering1847
flavoursome1853
unreasty1853
unrancida1855
relishy1864
toothy1864
flavoured1867
tasty-looking1867
hungrifying1886
velvety1888
snappy1892
zippy1911
savoursome1922
delish1953
1888 Harper's Mag. July 216/2 The rum is velvety, sugary, with a pleasant, soothing effect.
1908 R. Bagot Anthony Cuthbert xi. 125 Accompanied by the softest and most velvety of sauces.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.1752