noun
Marseilles
mah-SAY
noun
1
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 notesIn 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.