fabricfab‧ric /ˈfæbrɪk/ ●●○ noun 
our new range of fabrics and wallpaperscotton/silk/synthetic etc fabric printed cotton fabric2[singular] the fabric of a society is its basic structure, way of life, relationships, and traditionsfabric of Drug abuse poses a major threat to the fabric of our society. The country’s social fabric is disintegrating.3the fabric of something the fabric of a building is its basic structure, including walls and the roof: the need to preserve the fabric of the church
WORD ORIGINfabric
Origin:
1400-1500 Old French fabrique, from Latin fabrica ‘thing made, place where things are made’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- I want to buy some fabric to make a skirt.
- Man-made fabrics such as polyester are easy to wash and iron.
- Rayon is used extensively to make furnishing fabrics.
- special fabric for Christmas decorations
- The company creates fabrics for jackets and coats.
- And, a base spokesman acknowledged the cooler ban did not prohibit knapsacks, soft-sided fabric coolers or wagons.
- His father was a tailor in Como, and young Antonio made his first fabric design at age 12.
- In 1996, wardrobe shine will come from other sources, such as fabric coatings.
- Lamps, decorative objects, rugs, wall coverings and fabrics are only a few of the most commonly licensed home furnishings.
- Notch out fabric on inner curves to reduce bulk and enable the fabric to lie flat.
- Use lining fabrics for economy, trimmed with pattern border or edged with braid.
- We'd dearly love to grab squares of iridescent fabric and twist them into fabulously flattering Jerry Hallesque wraps.
- Within minutes of being tossed out, the soaking fabrics became stiff boards.
THESAURUSfor making clothes etc
noun [countable, uncountable] cloth used for making clothes, curtains etc: · She bought some pretty dress material.
noun [uncountable] cloth used for making clothes, curtains etc: · Man-made fabrics such as polyester are easy to wash and iron.· furnishing fabrics
noun [uncountable] woven material, especially material made from natural substances such as cotton and wool, which has not yet been made into any other products: · The main trade was the production of woollen cloth.
noun [plural] formal a general word for all types of cloth – used especially when talking about the business of producing and selling them: · Textiles are one of Mexico’s main exports.· the textile industry
Longman Language Activatormaterial for making clothes, curtains etc a material woven from threads, which is used for making clothes or curtains, covering furniture etc: · She was wearing a long black dress made of some silky material.· Some materials are easier to dye than others.dress/curtain material: · Could I have six metres of that curtain material?
woven material: · I want to buy some fabric to make a skirt.· Man-made fabrics such as polyester are easy to wash and iron.· Rayon is used extensively to make furnishing fabrics.
woven material, especially made from natural substances such as cotton and wool: · The main trade was the production of woollen cloth.· She ran her eye over the rolls of brightly-coloured cloth displayed on the stall.
formal woven material - use this especially to talk about the business of producing and selling material: · Textiles are one of Mexico's main exports.· Modern textiles can look too bright in an old building.textile industry: · The textile industry is booming, with profits up 15% on last year.
WORD SETSAC, accessory, nounadapter, nounaerosol, nounalarm, nounarm, nounash, nounattaché case, nounbag, nounbar, nounbarrel, nounbeep, verbbeeswax, nounbell, nounbelly, nounbelt, nounbench, nounbenzine, nounbinding, nounbiro, nounbolt, nounbooth, nounbox, nounbox, verbbrad, nounbriefcase, nounbristle, nounbrolly, nounbrush, nounbucket, nounbuckle, nounbuffer, nounbulb, nounBulldog clip, nounbulletin board, nounbullhorn, nounbung, nounbunting, nounbusiness card, nounbutt, nounbutton, nounbuzzer, nouncable, nouncalling card, nouncan, nouncandle, nouncane, nouncarbon, nouncarbon copy, nouncarbon paper, nouncard, nouncardboard, nouncardboard, adjectivecardboard cut-out, nouncard catalog, nouncarrier, nouncarrier bag, nouncarryall, nouncart, nouncarton, nouncartridge, nouncase, nouncaster, nouncatch, nounCellophane, nouncesspit, nounchain, nounchalice, nounchannel, nounchart, nounchute, nouncitronella, nounclamp, nouncleat, nounclip, nounclipboard, nouncomb, nouncombination lock, nouncompartment, nouncord, nouncrank, nouncrate, nouncrepe paper, nouncycle, noundetector, noundial, noundigital, adjectivedisposable, adjectivedrape, verbdrawing pin, noundryer, noundurable goods, nounDurex, nounearplug, nounelastic band, nouneraser, nouneyelet, nounfabric, nounfelt-tip pen, nounfemale, adjectivefence, nounfiberglass, nounfibreglass, nounfigurine, nounfilament, nounfile, verbFilofax, nounfire extinguisher, nounfirewood, nounfitness, nounflag, nounflagon, nounflagstaff, nounflashlight, nounflat, adjectivefloodlight, nounfoam, nounfoam, verbfog, verbfolder, nounfoolscap, nounforecourt, nounfountain, nounfountain pen, nounframe, nounfunnel, nounfuse, noungadget, noungadgetry, noungargle, verbgas, nounglue, noungoggles, noungold card, noungranny knot, noungravel, noungravelled, adjectivegravelly, adjectivegrease, noungreetings card, noungrommet, noungum, noungun, noungunnysack, noungut, nounhand-held, adjectivehandle, nounhandloom, nounharness, nounhasp, nounhealth, nounhessian, nounhinge, nounhip, nounhoarding, nounhoist, nounholder, nounhook, nounhoop, nounhooter, nounhose, nounhosepipe, nounhub, nounhygiene, nounhygienic, adjectiveillness, nounindented, adjectiveinflatable, adjectiveingrained, adjectiveink, nouninn, nouninnkeeper, nouninsoluble, adjectiveivory, nounjacket, nounjack-knife, nounjoss stick, nounjuggle, verbkey, nounkeypad, nounkey ring, nounKleenex, nounknife, nounknob, nounlabel, nounladder, nounlantern, nounlatch, nounlatchkey, nounlather, nounlather, verbLCD, nounlead, nounlectern, nounlegal pad, nounlens, nounletterbox, nounlever, nounlibrary, nounlid, nounlidded, adjectivelift, nounlight, nounlight bulb, nounlink, nounlinseed oil, nounlitter bin, nounlock, nounlodestone, nounlog, nounloop, verblost property, nounmagnet, nounmagnetic, adjectivemagnifying glass, nounmale, adjectivemantle, nounmanual, adjectivemarker, nounmarker pen, nounmarket day, nounmast, nounmastic, nounmatchstick, nounmaterial, nounmeter, nounmeths, nounmode, nounmortar, nounmortise lock, nounmould, nounmounting, nounmovement, nounnail, nounnameplate, nounnet, nounnib, nounnipple, nounnon-standard, adjectivenoose, nounnotebook, nounnotepad, nounnoticeboard, nounnozzle, nounnut, nounoil, verboilcan, nounoily, adjectiveorb, nounoutfit, nounoutlet, nounovernight, adverbpack, verbpackage, nounpad, nounpad, verbpadlock, nounpaintwork, nounpantyliner, nounpaper, nounpaperclip, nounpasserby, nounpaste, verbpasteboard, nounpatron, nounpatronage, nounpatronize, verbpattern, nounpaving, nounpearl, nounpen, nounpenknife, nounpicket fence, nounpillbox, nounpince-nez, nounpinhead, nounpipe, nounpix, nounpizza parlor, nounplug, nounpocket, nounpocketbook, nounpocket calculator, nounpocket knife, nounpointer, nounpoison, nounpole, nounportfolio, nounPost-it, nounpowder, nounpowdered, adjectivepropellant, nounpropelling pencil, nounpump-action, adjectivePX, nounquarter, verbrack, nounreceptionist, nounreel, nounrefill, nounreflector, nounrefrigerate, verbregimen, nounreservation, nounreserve, verbsachet, nounsack, nounscratchpad, nounscratch paper, nounscreen, nounsealant, nounsealer, nounsearchlight, nounseason ticket, nounseat, nounself-assembly, adjectiveseptic tank, nounservice, nounservice, verbsetting, nounshade, nounsharpener, nounshovel, nounshovel, verbshovelful, nounsilver paper, nounsiphon, nounslat, nounslice, verbslot machine, nounslug, nounsmoke, nounsoot, nounsort, nounspare part, nounspigot, nounsponge, nounspool, nounspout, nounspray, nounspray can, nounspray paint, nounspring, nounstaff, nounstake, nounstalk, nounstandard, nounstaple, nounstapler, nounstationery, nounsteam, nounsteam clean, verbsteel, nounsteel wool, nounstepladder, nounstick, verbstick, nounsticker, nounstilt, nounstopper, nounstorm lantern, nounstrap, nounstreamer, nounstring, nounstub, nounsucker, nounSuperglue, nounswipe, verbswitch, nounswivel, nountab, nountack, nountag, nountag, verbtank, nountap, nountape, nountassel, nountattle, verbtea break, nounthong, nounthread, nountime-saving, adjectivetinder, nountinderbox, nountissue, nountop, nountote bag, nountowel, verbtray, nountrolley, nountube, nountubing, nountwine, nountwo-way mirror, nounumbrella, nounvent, nounvial, nounwaiting room, nounwasher, nounwaste paper, nounwatch, nounwaterspout, nounwheeled, adjectivewhistle, verbwooden, adjectivewriting paper, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY printed cotton fabric Drug abuse poses a major threat to the fabric of our society. The country’s social fabric is disintegrating.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
printed cotton fabric Drug abuse poses a major threat to the fabric of our society. The country’s social fabric is disintegrating.· cotton cloth from India
(=for making curtains)· I need to go to town to buy some curtain fabric.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Some collections are using fine knitted fabrics for jackets, which have traditionally been made from woven fabrics.· They were clearly mass-produced in permanent kilns using a finer fabric and were a far more standardised product.· A tumour had manifested itself. Fine fabric had been scarred.· Narrow double-stitched hem is suitable for fine lightweight fabrics to finish off single-sided frills.· It was made of a fine gossamer fabric that clung to her smooth, flawless skin.· The new wing with its harmonising fine materials and fabrics create a stylish ambience.
· Among the synthetic fibres used in furnishing fabrics are nylon, polyester and acrylic.· Additionally the full range from Marvic Textiles is now available from Sloane Avenue providing an exceptionally comprehensive selection of furnishing fabric.· They supply the trade with top quality woven and printed furnishing fabrics and proudly display the Royal Warrant.· In addition, they are flame-resistant, making them most suitable for furnishing fabrics.· Its main use in furnishing fabrics is as linen union, a hard-wearing fabric.· It has good insulating qualities, and is used in furnishing fabrics mixed with other fibres.· Alternatively, use standard furnishing fabric and match it up to other furnishings in the room.· Most standard furnishing fabrics can also be stuck to the wall - paste the wall, not the fabric.
· Some collections are using fine knitted fabrics for jackets, which have traditionally been made from woven fabrics.· Stem stitch which would be fine on cloth tends to get hidden on knitted fabric.· It ensures that the design and colours are accurately reproduced in your knitted fabric.· It would be difficult to imagine a knitted fabric that is not included, but then that was Susanna's intention.· Nylon yarn was made there for a time along with Cellophane packaging film, carpets and circular knitted fabrics.
· Many items boast natural fabrics and a vast array of colours to choose from.· Originally, they sold back-to-the-land products such as apparel in natural fabrics and wood-burning stoves.· It may be pricey but it will never date. Natural fabrics, particularly wool, are always favourites.· It's the strongest natural fabric and can stand very high temperatures and be machine washed.
· You will need the same amount of lining as outer curtain fabric, less allowance for pattern matching.· Lay out the outer fabric flat with the wrong side up and lay buckram on top with the bump sandwiched in between.· Tack, then machine the lining to the outer fabric along these marked lines to form lath channel.· Materials: Pertex inner with Snugpak's own Paratex outer fabric.· Lining Cut the lining as for the outer fabric and join the widths together in the same way.· Machine along both edges of the tape through the lining and the outer fabric.
· We do not want fossilised museum pieces of countryside but communities with jobs and a living, dynamic and healthy social fabric.· But there it was under the social fabric, the raw wound.· The virtuous person participated in virtuous actions within the social fabric.· With basic needs in increasingly short supply, the social fabric of Cairo is showing signs of fraying.· Nurses in that sector have to cope with the effects on their patients of poor housing conditions and a deteriorating social fabric.· With the destruction of our social fabric, science will be broken into a million pieces.· They were relatively non-partisan and pursued policies which would least disturb the social fabric.· Yet the social fabric seemed to unravel further.
· Place a small towel or a piece of lint or soft fabric on top of the water.· The finer the threads, the higher the count and the softer the fabric will be.· New concepts Playtex Super Look Secrets bodyshaper offers all the control of a corset in a soft, stretchy fabric.· We were immobile on the velvet cushions, my legs sticking out, jacket and skirt velvet enveloped by soft fabric.· They will add a sumptuous air to your curtains, particularly when made up in soft, supple fabrics which drape beautifully.· He took hold of the collar of Lucien's shirt and pulled hard so that the soft fabric ripped like parchment.· It is well worth experimenting with a cheap soft fabric, such as mull.· They were arguing about who had the softest fabric and I was called in as arbitrator.
· Use fine thread; silk thread with silk fabrics, and synthetic thread with synthetic fabrics.· Synthetic thread is very strong and should be used with synthetic or stretch fabric as it has more elasticity.· All synthetic fabrics, plastics, chipboard, plywood, foam rubber and other man-made materials are excluded from the oasis.· Viscose: A synthetic fabric normally made from wood fibres.
· The looks, the comfort, the smoothness of systems, the very fabric of ultimate sailing endures.· Hannah clearly possesses a unique quality which gives her a remarkable perspective of the very fabric of Baldersdale.· Pool controls the very fabric of this station.· The Bishop felt his very fabric rotted by soft living.· Temporal turbulence stretches the very fabric of reality and folds it back on itself.· How dared he question her integrity, the very fabric her entire being was built around?
· They are instruments for national survival and should be woven into the whole fabric of the primary school curriculum.
· Aimed at the hotel and brewery market Victoriana is a new range of jacquard woven fabric by Sekers.· The woven fabric will have a surface pattern similar to that shown in Fig 1.· High quality, tightly woven fabric is used, with Hood's renowned soft finish for easy handling and long life.· Some collections are using fine knitted fabrics for jackets, which have traditionally been made from woven fabrics.· Conversely a loosely woven fabric would not be successful for a Roman blind, which requires a firm, stable fabric.· Not quite so easily found just yet, but proving popular, are linen-Lycra mixes, often in knitwear rather than woven fabrics.· Versatec: A densely woven fabric made from highly breathable superfine fibres.· Always remember to return them to non-working position after completing the woven fabric.
NOUN· Folkweave A loosely-woven cotton fabric, using coarse yarn, often with stripes.· Plain-weave polyester and cotton fabrics are also used as linings.
· Doors that swing inwards present the problem of curtain fabric interfering with the operation of the doors.· It is now necessary to spread your half pattern to fit the width of the curtain fabric as shown in fig. 50b.· You will need the same amount of lining as outer curtain fabric, less allowance for pattern matching.· Attaching interlining Lay curtain fabric out flat with wrong side uppermost.· They'd murder each other over the choice of curtain fabric if they could get away with it.
· Use fine thread; silk thread with silk fabrics, and synthetic thread with synthetic fabrics.· Some silk fabrics will drape beautifully while others have a light, crisp appearance.
VERB· Or make one using a headboard kit from Cover Up and cover it with fabric.· Slabs of dough lay covered under a gauzy fabric, waiting to be pummeled and mauled by Mrs Bay.· Wallpaper them or cover them with fabric: felt, hessian, sacking, lining fabric or printed cotton.· It was a cylindrical object, covered with fabric that had been roughly wound about it.
· Never cut off the excess fabric across the corner or you will not be able to let the curtain down.· Making up Cut the fabric and lining to the measurements plus turnings.· Making up Cut the blind fabric with side, top and bottom turnings.· You will need to cut all fabric drops to the total length measurement as at the centre of the window.
· Any cloths used on the table could be made from the same fabric as the main room curtains or upholstery.· His father was a tailor in Como, and young Antonio made his first fabric design at age 12.· Choose a colour from the existing design or a contrast colour if the fabric is plain. Make fabric tiebacks to match.· Yet the simple stories contrast with the ingenious manipulation which makes up the fabric of the farce itself.· Some collections are using fine knitted fabrics for jackets, which have traditionally been made from woven fabrics.· Acrylic fibres are made into fabric which is soft and warm, and consequently has similar characteristics to wool.· Epics, surely, make up the fabric of a climbing memory.
· This produces a particularly firm fabric.· It is also possible to produce deeper, ruched fabrics by slipping for more rows.· Hand and power looms producing reproduction fabrics.· The combination of tuck and slip produces a more textured fabric in which the design shows more clearly.· By 1865, over 130 lace making factories were producing this delicate fabric on machines powered by the abundance of local coal.· Evaporite sediments have a yet higher diagenetic potential than modern carbonate sediments, producing a near-metamorphic fabric.
· The rain pounded so hard it sounded like tearing fabric.· Nationalistic isolation tears apart the fabric of humanity.
· Martin uses balloon fabric, as it does not crease as easily as spinnaker ripstop.· I also wanted to use great fabrics in small lots, to make a few select pieces.· Some collections are using fine knitted fabrics for jackets, which have traditionally been made from woven fabrics.· Do check therefore that you use fabric that will not shrink.· You achieve it by using more fluid fabrics and gentler construction.· Alternatively, you can select one of the iron-on transfer designs - these can be used on most fabrics.· They were clearly mass-produced in permanent kilns using a finer fabric and were a far more standardised product.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
1[countable, uncountable] cloth used for making clothes, curtains etc SYN material: - Below her waist, the fabric of her smock filled with the black clots of her hemorrhage.
- For more than 50 years Oxfam has been trying to improve the fabric of society in some of the world's poorest regions.
- People would have grabbed door handles to get out and been sucked into the fabric of the door.
- She was bloodless and the bones of her face had risen up against the fabric of her skin.
- They pierced the fabric of our universe; like a gunshot that ripped open the whole of space and time.
- This is an example of a necessity in the fabric of space, typical of the necessities which govern motion.
- Transnational corporations have moved increasingly toward growth strategies that weave information technologies into the fabric of everyday work.
our new range of fabrics and wallpaperscotton/silk/synthetic etc fabric printed cotton fabric2[singular] the fabric of a society is its basic structure, way of life, relationships, and traditionsfabric of Drug abuse poses a major threat to the fabric of our society. The country’s social fabric is disintegrating.3the fabric of something the fabric of a building is its basic structure, including walls and the roof: the need to preserve the fabric of the church