Clothbound

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Comprising an item that features a durable fabric covering for protection against wear and tear
2. Composed of a product encased in a strong textile material that ensures protection from wear and enhances its lifespan
3. Designed with an outer layer made from woven material to provide durability and protection

Etymology: "Clothbound" is a plain compound: "cloth" joined to "bound," the past participle of "bind." The sense is literal. A book or volume is "clothbound" when its boards are covered in cloth rather than paper or leather, and the adjective has been extended from that binding practice to other products wrapped in textile for protection. The cloth covering on books became common in the nineteenth century, when publishers began using cloth-covered boards as a cheaper and more durable alternative to leather, so the adjective grew up around that trade. Its use for other goods, such as a product encased in strong fabric to resist wear, follows the same logic: the textile is the outer shell that does the protecting.

Synonyms: bound, covered