Satine

Part of speech: noun, adjective

Definitions

1. A type of fabric woven with a smooth, glossy surface on one side and a duller finish on the other, typically made from silk, nylon, or polyester and used for luxurious garments and upholstery
2. A material characterized by a shiny texture on its front while the back remains matte, often crafted from various fibers such as silk or synthetic blends and favored for elegant clothing and furnishings
3. Fabric distinguished by its lustrous front surface contrasted with a flat back, commonly produced from silk or other fibers and utilized in fashion and decorative items requiring a sleek appearance

Etymology: The name points to a place. Satin is most often traced to Arabic "zaytuni," meaning "of Zaytun," the name Arab traders used for the Chinese port now called Quanzhou, a major exporter of silk. The link is widely cited but not firmly proven, and the path from the Arabic word to the French and English forms is uncertain. "Satine" is an older spelling of the same word, reflecting the French form "satin" that English borrowed. The English spelling has since settled on "satin," but the earlier form survives in some older texts and dictionaries. Because satin names a weave rather than a fiber, the term covers silk, polyester, and other materials alike. Any fabric woven so that long floats of warp yarn lie on the surface produces the glossy face and dull reverse.

Synonyms: satin