Passementerie

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /pæsˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi/

Definitions

1. A type of decorative textile embellishment composed of cords, tassels, and fringes that is frequently utilized in clothing and interior design
2. This intricate decorative trim, featuring braids and ornamental threads, is often found in garments and upholstery for enhanced aesthetic appeal
3. A specialized form of decorative embellishment made from cords, braids, and tassels, often employed in fashion and home decor projects

Etymology: Passementerie reached English straight from French, where it names the trade and goods of decorative trimmings. The French noun "passement" meant a decorative lace or braid, and the suffix "-erie" turned it into a word for the whole craft and its products, much as "-ery" does in English words like "pottery" and "cookery." The trimmings it describes, cords, tassels and fringes, were once made by hand in workshops, so the word names a textile trade as much as the objects themselves. The root "passement" traces back to the French verb "passer," to pass, and the lace sense is thought to come from the idea of a band or strip passed along an edge. This is a plausible connection rather than a firmly documented one, so treat it as a likely rather than certain link.