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Glite Dictionary
houndstooth check

houndstooth check

7.7
A cloth pattern of small jagged checks in two colors
  • noun
  • /ˈhaʊndˌstuːθ tʃɛk/
translation icon : pata de gallo
  • She chose a dress with a bold houndstooth check pattern for the party, making a stylish statement.

Examples

  • I love wearing houndstooth checks in the fall.

  • She wore a tailored coat with a classic houndstooth check pattern.

  • The designer chose houndstooth check fabric for the suit to create a striking visual effect.

  • You can recognize houndstooth check by its distinctive, jagged black-and-white pattern.

  • The jacket has a classic houndstooth check pattern.

  • The designer showcased a collection featuring jackets adorned with a classic houndstooth check in black and white.

  • He loves his new scarf, which is made of wool and displays a muted houndstooth check that adds elegance to any outfit.

Synonyms

check
vshoundstooth check
20 3.3

A pattern of small squares, like a chessboard or tablecloth

is a specific small broken jagged two color variation of that pattern
dog's-tooth check
vshoundstooth check
  • UK
9.1

A small jagged check pattern on fabric often black and white

is the main name rather than an alternative label
hound's-tooth check
vshoundstooth check
7.9

A cloth pattern of small broken checks usually black and white

is broader and allows any two contrasting colors
dogstooth check
vshoundstooth check
  • Specialized
7.7

A cloth pattern with small jagged checks like a dog's tooth

is the general jagged two color pattern not tied to specific uses

Surface Forms

houndstooth check singular
houndstooth checks plural

Morphology

houndstooth + check

The element 'check' clearly signals a patterned fabric and would be understood by a B1 learner as referring to a design, so that part is transparent. However 'houndstooth' is a lexicalized label (not literally a hound's tooth) for a specific jagged broken-check motif and is unlikely to be predictable from its apparent constituents, so the overall phrase gives only partial (not full) compositional cues.

Etymology

Houndstooth check may come from old cloth made in Scotland, where the small, jagged checks look like a dog's tooth. That's why the name links hound meaning 'dog' and tooth, and today houndstooth check means a fabric pattern of small, broken checks in two colors.