velvet

[vel-vit] /ˈvɛl vɪt/
noun
1.
a fabric of silk, nylon, acetate, rayon, etc., sometimes having a cotton backing, with a thick, soft pile formed of loops of the warp thread either cut at the outer end or left uncut.
2.
something likened to the fabric velvet, as in softness or texture:
the velvet of her touch; the velvet of the lawn.
3.
the soft, deciduous covering of a growing antler.
4.
Informal. a very pleasant, luxurious, desirable situation.
5.
Informal.
  1. money gained through gambling; winnings.
  2. clear gain or profit, especially when more than anticipated.
adjective
6.
Also, velveted. made of velvet or covered with velvet.
7.
Also, velvetlike. resembling or suggesting velvet; smooth; soft; velvety:
a velvet night; a cat's velvet fur.
Origin
1275-1325; Middle English velvet, veluet, veluwet < Old French veluotte, equivalent to velu (< Medieval Latin vil(l)ūtus; Latin vill(us) shaggy nap (cf. villus) + Late Latin -ūtus for Latin -ātus -ate1) + -otte noun suffix
Examples from the web for velvet
  • The intricate box, lined with blue velvet, contains pieces of mirror mounted on the rear surface.
  • There are velvet revolutions as well as violent ones.
  • She flung her velvet opera cloak over the maid's shoulders and turned back into the drawing-room, shutting the door sharply.
  • These velvet-lined boxes make beautiful jewelry containers.
  • Comes in a velvet-lined brocade gift box with a blue-and-white porcelain dish for the seal paste.
  • Dinky little velvet-covered buttons are not for you.
  • Most of all, never let the public know there is an iron fist inside your velvet glove.
  • Our whoopie pies layer sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting between two moist red velvet cakes.
  • But getting behind the velvet rope isn't based on market cap, earnings or shares owned.
  • It had velvet curtains, white tablecloths, little rose-shaded lamps on the tables.
British Dictionary definitions for velvet

velvet

/ˈvɛlvɪt/
noun
1.
  1. a fabric of silk, cotton, nylon, etc, with a thick close soft usually lustrous pile
  2. (as modifier): velvet curtains
2.
anything with a smooth soft surface
3.
  1. smoothness; softness
  2. (as modifier): velvet skin, a velvet night
4.
the furry covering of the newly formed antlers of a deer
5.
(slang, mainly US)
  1. gambling or speculative winnings
  2. a gain, esp when unexpectedly high
6.
velvet glove, gentleness or caution, often concealing strength or determination (esp in the phrase an iron fist or hand in a velvet glove)
Derived Forms
velvet-like, adjective
velvety, adjective
Word Origin
C14: veluet, from Old French veluotte, from velu hairy, from Vulgar Latin villutus (unattested), from Latin villus shaggy hair
Word Origin and History for velvet
n.

early 14c., probably from Old Provençal veluet, from Vulgar Latin *villutittus, diminutive of Vulgar Latin villutus "velvet," literally "shaggy cloth," from Latin villus "shaggy hair, nap of cloth, tuft of hair," probably a dialectal variant of vellus "fleece."

Slang definitions & phrases for velvet

velvet

noun

Profit, esp an easy and unexpected profit; gambler's winnings; money in general: There are substantial money returns, ''velvet,'' for those who secure places (1901+)

Related Terms

beggar's velvet, blue velvet, on velvet


Idioms and Phrases with velvet

velvet

see under iron hand