n. 1. A soft tufted cord traditionally of silk, cotton, or worsted used in embroidery or for fringing. 2. Fabric made of or resembling this cord, commonly used for bedspreads or rugs. [French chenille, caterpillar, chenille, from Latin canīcula, diminutive of canis, dog; see kwon- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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