taffeta

• taffata (obsolete)
• taffaty (obsolete)
• taffety (dated)

From Late Middle English, from Old French taffetas, from Medieval Latin taffata, from Classical Persian تافته (tāfta), from تافتن (tāftan).

• IPA^(key): /ˈtæ.fɪ.tə/, /ˈtæ.fə.tə/

• Audio (Southern England)

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taffeta (countable and uncountable, plural taffetas)

1. A crisp, smooth woven fabric made from silk or synthetic fibers.
   • 1634 (first performance), William D’avenant [i.e., William Davenant], The Wits: A Comedie; […], published 1636; republished in Two Excellent Plays: […], London: […] G. Bedel, and T[homas] Collins, […], 1665, →OCLC, Act I, page 1:

     Could a Taff'ta ſcarf, a long Eſtridge vvhing, / A ſtiffe Iron Doublet, and a Brazeel Pole / Tempt thee from Cambrick ſheets, fine active Thighs, / From Caudles vvhere the precious Amber ſvvims?

   • 2017 June 30, Ruth La Ferla, “In ‘The Beguiled,’ Pretty Confections Whipped Up to Seduce”, in The New York Times‎, →ISSN:

     For a festive dinner, the belles pull out the stops. “Pull it tighter,” one urges as her corset is laced. Having unearthed their taffeta gowns from deep storage, they show off pinched waists, bare arms, throats and shoulders.

• taffeta glass
• tuft-taffeta