Plaitwork

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A decorative design created by weaving or interlacing strips of material such as ribbon, fabric, or leather in an over-and-under pattern
2. Ornamental work formed by braiding or crossing multiple strands or strips in a regular interlaced arrangement
3. Decorative material or pattern produced by the systematic crossing and interlacing of flat strips or braided elements

Etymology: "Plaitwork" is a plain compound: "plait," a braid or fold of hair, cord or straw, joined to "work," the making of something. Together they name work made by plaiting, the interlacing of strands into a pattern. Because plaiting is one of the oldest ways of making cloth-like and basketry objects from fibre, the word describes a craft far older than the English term itself.