[F. tulle (1812 in Hatz.-Darm.), ‘named from Tulle, chief town of the department of Corrèze, where the fabric was first manufactured’ (Littré).] A fine silk bobbin-net used for women’s dresses, veils, hats, etc.
c. 1818. Mrs. Carey, Tour France, xv. (1823), 310. This imitation is of silk, called tulle, from the name of the town where it is principally made.
1868. Morn. Star, 7 March. Her Royal Highness … wore … a petticoat of white tulle over rich glacé silk.
1888. ‘J. S. Winter,’ Bootle’s Childr., ix. The effect of the sweeping train, the shower of tulle which fell from the golden coronet of her hair.
attrib. 1859. Habits Gd. Society, iv. (new ed.), 183. A beautiful tulle dress.
1900. Elinor Glyn, Visits Elizabeth (1906), 54. I wore the white silk and my pink tulle hat.
