Embroider

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɔɪdÉ™(r)

Origin

From Middle English embroudren, frequentative of embrouden, from Anglo-Norman embrouder, intensive of brosder, brouder (compare Guernésiais broudaïr), from Old Dutch *brosdōn, blend of *bursta ‘bristle’ and *brordōn ‘to stitch’ (compare Old High German brortōn). More at bristle and brad.

Full definition of embroider

Verb

1. To stitch a decorative design on fabric with needle and thread of various colours.
2. (figuratively) To add imaginary detail to a narrative to make it more interesting or acceptable.

Derived terms

• embroiderer
• embroideress
• embroidery