Also 8 cheneil. [a. F. chenille in same sense, lit. hairy caterpillar (= Pr. canilha):—L. canicula little dog (from its hairy appearance).] A kind of velvety cord, having short threads or fibers of silk and wool standing out at right angles from a core of thread or wire, like the hairs of a caterpillar; used in trimming and bordering dresses and furniture. Also attrib., as in chenille-work, -carpet, -machine.
1738–9. Mrs. Pendarves, in Mrs. Delany’s Corr., 28. Lady Huntingdon’s … petticoat was black velvet embroidered with chenille. Ibid., 424. To work a cheneil manteil for me. Ibid., Ser. II. (1862), I. 167. I desire you will pack up my chenilles ready for me.
1842. Louisa S. Costello, Pilgr. Auvergne, II. 158. This hat is … edged with velvet or chenille.
1863. Sat. Rev., 7 Feb., 176/2. The old process of making chenille by hand began by loosely throwing a woof of silk across a warp of thread or wire.
1884. Pall Mall Gaz., 8 April, 5/1. The chenille outline embroidery is frequently seen on shot silk skirts.
