taffeta

• taffata (obsolete)
• taffaty (obsolete)
• taffety (dated)

From Late Middle English, from Old French taffetas, from Medieval Latin taffata, from Classical Persian تافته‎ (tāfta), from تافتن‎ (tāftan).

• IPA^(key): /ˈtæ.fɪ.tə/, /ˈtæ.fə.tə/

• Audio (Southern England)

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taffeta (countable and uncountable, plural taffetas)

1. A crisp, smooth woven fabric made from silk or synthetic fibers.
   • 1634 (first performance), William D’avenant [i.e., William Davenant], The Wits: A Comedie; […], published 1636; republished in Two Excellent Plays: […], London: […] G. Bedel, and T[homas] Collins, […], 1665, →OCLC, Act I, page 1:

     Could a Taff'ta ſcarf, a long Eſtridge vvhing, / A ſtiffe Iron Doublet, and a Brazeel Pole / Tempt thee from Cambrick ſheets, fine active Thighs, / From Caudles vvhere the precious Amber ſvvims?

• taffeta glass
• tuft-taffeta