Ultrasoft

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Exhibiting an extraordinary degree of softness that enhances comfort
2. Identifying a material renowned for its velvety texture and luxurious touch
3. Having a texture or quality that is exceptionally gentle and plush to the touch

Etymology: "Ultrasoft" is a straightforward compound: the prefix "ultra-", from Latin "ultra" meaning "beyond", attached to the English adjective "soft." The prefix carries its Latin sense of going past a limit, so the word describes softness pushed beyond the ordinary degree. "Soft" itself is much older and has a more physical history. It descends from Proto-Germanic "samftuz," a word tied to the idea of being easy to yield to or compress, and it passed into Old English as "sōfte," which meant gentle, mild, or pleasant to the touch as well as yielding under pressure. Middle English "softe" and modern "soft" kept that tactile sense, which is why "ultrasoft" naturally refers to texture.

Synonyms: super soft, extra soft

Antonyms: hard, rough