Plural of chenille; fuzzy cords or thick velvety yarns used in embroidery, upholstery, and textile decoration.
From French chenille 'caterpillar' (from Latin caninula), so named because the yarn resembles a caterpillar's fuzzy body.
The word chenille perfectly captures how French vocabulary dominates textiles—calling a fuzzy yarn a 'caterpillar' is poetic, and these yarns were essential to Victorian embroidery, creating elaborate cushions and decorations.
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