cloth

A textile is a flexible material made by creating an interlocking network of yarns or threads, which are produced by spinning raw fibres (from either natural or synthetic sources) into long and twisted lengths. Textiles are then formed by weaving, knitting, crocheting [用钩针编织], knotting, tatting [用梭织法编织], felting [擀毡], bonding or braiding these yarns together.

The related words "fabric" and "cloth" and "material" are often used in textile assembly trades (such as tailoring and dressmaking) as synonyms for textile. However, there are subtle differences in these terms in specialized usage. A textile is any material made of the interlacing fibres, including carpeting and geotextiles, which may not necessarily be used in the production of further goods, such as clothing and upholstery [material used to cover chairs]. A fabric is a material made through weaving, knitting, spreading, felting, stitching, crocheting or bonding that may be used in the production of further products, such as clothing and upholstery, thus requiring a further step of the production. Cloth may also be used synonymously with fabric, but often specifically refers to a piece of fabric that has been processed or cut.

Geotextile [土工织物] is a permeable geosynthetic material made of synthetic fibers through needle punching or weaving. Geosynthetics are synthetic products used to stabilize terrain, they are typically polymeric products that are used to solve civil engineering problems. Material that is permeable allows water, gas etc to pass through it.

The word 'textile' comes from the Latin adjective textilis, meaning 'woven', which itself stems from textus, the past participle of the verb texere, 'to weave'. The word 'fabric' also derives from Latin. Stemming most recently from the Middle French fabrique, or 'building, thing made', and earlier from the Latin fabrica ('workshop; an art, trade; a skilful production, structure, fabric'), the noun fabrica stems from the Latin faber, or 'artisan who works in hard materials', which itself is derived from the Proto-Indo-European dhabh-, meaning 'to fit together'.

The word 'cloth' derives from the Old English clað, meaning a 'cloth, woven or felted material to wrap around one', from the Proto-Germanic kalithaz, similar to the Old Frisian klath, the Middle Dutch cleet, the Middle High German kleit and the German kleid, all meaning 'garment'.

A dishcloth or a tea-towel is a cloth used for washing dishes.

A "man of the cloth" is a clergyman (a Christian priest).

If you cut your coat according to your cloth, you spend only as much money as you can afford.

六级/考研单词: textile, rigid, thread, spin, fibre, synthesis, twist, weave, knit, knot, seldom, assemble, tailor, synonym, subtle, differentiate, usage, farther, clothe, stitch, thereby, needle, punch, terrain, adjective, stem, verb, derive, lately, noun, wrap, garment, clergy, priest, accord