embroidery
/ɪmˈbrɔɪd(ə)ri
/ /ɛmˈbrɔɪd(ə)ri/noun (plural embroideries) [mass noun]
1The art or pastime of embroidering cloth: my mother decided I should learn embroidery...
- A sewing group specialising in cross-stitch, embroidery, quilting and needlework meets on Mondays from 11 am to midday.
- She offered a more varied needlework curriculum of plain work, marking, openwork, and embroidery along with reading and writing.
- Another fab lab is in the northeast of India, where one of the few jobs that women can do is Chikan embroidery.
1.1Cloth decorated with embroidered designs: the bazaars stock a wide variety of embroidery [count noun]: she frequently exhibited embroideries...
- Many tapestries, brocades, and embroideries were likewise burned to recover the gold and silver used in their production.
- The hall contains one of Europe's finest collections of 16th and 17th century embroideries and tapestries, in addition to fine furniture and painting.
- Although the chair frame was made in Newport, the needlework is characteristic of embroideries identified with Boston teachers.
Synonyms
needlework, needlepoint, needlecraft, sewing, cross stitch, tatting, crochet, crewel work;
tapestry, sampler
2Embellishment or exaggeration in the description of an event: fanciful embroidery of the facts...
- In remaining loyal to the facts and avoiding unnecessary embroidery, the story stands as a testament to the human spirit.
Synonyms
elaboration, embellishment, adornment, ornamentation, colouring, enhancement;
exaggeration, overstatement, hyperbole;
touching up, dressing up, gilding, varnishing, gingering up
informal jazzing up
Origin
Late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French enbrouderie, from enbrouder 'embroider'.