A type of fabric with a raised pattern or figure woven into it, often used for formal wear.
From French 'évêque' (bishop), likely because the fabric's pattern resembled religious vestments or episcopal garments. The term transferred from the French textile industry to English in the 19th century.
Many English fabric names come from French because medieval and Renaissance France dominated the luxury textile trade—'velvet,' 'satin,' and 'linen' all have French or Latin roots, showing how vocabulary follows economic power and prestige!
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