Dacron

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A man-made fiber originating from polyester is renowned for its exceptional tensile strength and longevity while being used predominantly in textiles and coatings for its resilience against wrinkles and shrinkage
2. This polymer-based material, noted for its durability and lightweight properties, is utilized in diverse applications, particularly in creating fabrics that resist creasing and enhance moisture management
3. A synthetic fiber derived from polyester that is valued for its strength and durability, commonly found in textiles and materials that require resistance to wrinkling and shrinkage

Etymology: Dacron is a trademark, and the first thing to know is that it was invented as a brand name in 1951 by the American chemical firm E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. The company built it on the model of nylon, its earlier success, so the name was designed to sound like a new family of synthetic fibers rather than to describe anything in particular. The material is a polyester, a chemical family of long molecular chains linked by ester bonds. Because the chains are strong and resist stretching, fabrics woven from them hold their shape, shed wrinkles and dry quickly, which is why the fiber became popular in shirts, sails and other everyday textiles.