moiré

[ mwah-rey, mawr-ey, mohr-ey; French mwa-rey ]
/ mwɑˈreɪ, ˈmɔr eɪ, ˈmoʊr eɪ; French mwaˈreɪ /

adjective

(of silks and other fabrics) presenting a watery or wavelike appearance.

noun

a design pressed on silk, rayon, etc., by engraved rollers.
any silk, rayon, etc., fabric with a watery or wavelike appearance.
Printing. an interference pattern of dots appearing in the print of process color.

Origin of moiré

From French, dating back to 1810–20; see origin at moire, -ee

Words nearby moiré

moiety, moil, moira, moirai, moire, moiré, moiré effect, moiseivich, moiseyev, moism, moissan

British Dictionary definitions for moiré (1 of 2)

moiré
/ (ˈmwɑːreɪ) /

adjective

having a watered or wavelike pattern

noun

such a pattern, impressed on fabrics by means of engraved rollers
any fabric having such a pattern; moire
Also: moiré pattern a pattern seen when two geometrical patterns, such as grids, are visually superimposed

Word Origin for moiré

C17: from French, from moire mohair

British Dictionary definitions for moiré (2 of 2)

moire
/ (mwɑː) /

noun

a fabric, usually silk, having a watered effect

Word Origin for moire

C17: from French, earlier mouaire, from mohair