noun Uncommon

Marseilles

mah-SAY

Marseilles (noun) means a sturdy cotton fabric woven with a raised, quilted-looking pattern, traditionally used for bedspreads and waistcoats. Example: “The old bedspread was woven from heavy marseilles cloth.”

noun

A sturdy cotton fabric woven with a raised, quilted-looking pattern, traditionally used for bedspreads and waistcoats.

"The old bedspread was woven from heavy marseilles cloth."

"Tailors once used marseilles for stiff, decorative waistcoat fronts."

How to use Marseilles

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA thick, patterned cotton cloth named after the French city it came from.

Common mistake

Don't confuse this fabric sense with the city name Marseille itself.

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The old bedspread was woven from heavy _____ cloth.

Etymology

Named after Marseille, the French port city where the fabric was originally produced.

Origin: French

Rhymes for Marseilles

Gilles Achilles Versailles

See all rhymes for Marseilles →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Marseilles” mean?

The word “Marseilles” means a sturdy cotton fabric woven with a raised, quilted-looking pattern, traditionally used for bedspreads and waistcoats. In plain terms, a thick, patterned cotton cloth named after the French city it came from.

How do you pronounce “Marseilles”?

“Marseilles” is pronounced mah-SAY (/mɑː(ɹ)ˈseɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “Marseilles” in a sentence?

Here is “Marseilles” used in a sentence: “The old bedspread was woven from heavy marseilles cloth.”

What part of speech is “Marseilles”?

“Marseilles” is a noun.

Where does the word “Marseilles” come from?

The word “Marseilles” comes from French. Named after Marseille, the French port city where the fabric was originally produced.

Is “Marseilles” a common word?

“Marseilles” is an uncommon word in modern English.