a. (sb.). [See PILE sb.5 2.] Applied to velvet in which the loops of the pile-warp (which constitutes the nap) are formed by three threads, producing a pile of treble thickness; so of carpets; also absol. or as sb. = three-pile velvet.

1

[1603.  Shaks., Meas. for M., IV. iii. 11. Master Three-Pile the Mercer.]

2

1607.  Dekker, Westw. Hoe, I. i. Wks. 1873, II. 283. My … maister hath sent you a veluet gowne heare:… three pile.

3

1611.  Shaks., Wint. T., IV. iii. 14. I haue seru’d Prince Florizell, and in my time wore three pile.

4

1837.  Hare, Guesses, Ser. I. (1847), 1. A cloak should be of three-pile, to keep its gloss in wear.

5

1844.  Willis, Lady Jane, I. 208. This delicate alarum is worth while, More ’specially with carpets of three-pile.

6