The sumame of Joseph-Marie Jacquard of Lyons, who, at the beginning of the 19th c., invented an apparatus to facilitate the weaving of figured fabrics in the loom, superseding the ruder heddle or heald appliance previously used. Hence many attrib. uses and combinations, as Jacquard apparatus, attachment, engine, machine, mechanism, applied to this apparatus; also Jacquard loom, a loom fitted with this apparatus, for the weaving of figured fabrics; Jacquard fabric, muslin, stripes, etc., those woven or produced on the Jacquard loom; Jacquard-figured adj., -weaving, etc. b. Also ellipt. as sb. = Jacquard apparatus, etc.
1841. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 7), XXI. 828. The draw-loom has of late years been to a considerable extent superseded by the Jacquard engine.
1842. S. C. Hall, Ireland, II. 330, note. The Jacquard machine, introduced a few years ago by some of the leading manufacturers.
1843. Penny Cycl., XXVII. 178/2. The Jacquard apparatus was first intended for and applied to silk-weaving.
1851. Illustr. Catal. Gt. Exhib., 482. A new arrangement of the Jacquard loom. Ibid., 506. Specimens of Jacquard figured silk fabrics. Ibid., 1279. Shawls with muslin Jacquard stripes. Ibid. Muslin from the loom, white jacquard, needle work spots.
1875. Knight, Dict. Mech., Loom-card, a pierced pattern-card for Jacquard weaving.
1890. Cent. Dict., s.v. Loom, The Jacquard attachment is a device for forming sheds or openings for the passage of the shuttle between the warp-threads.
1897. Sketch, 26 May, 181/1. The application of a Jacquard to looms, lace and hosiery machines. Ibid., 181/2. Deteriorations are impossible with the Jacquard.
