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Glite Dictionary
figure loom

figure loom

9.9
A machine that weaves cloth with patterns or pictures
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : telar de figuras
  • Manufacturers often rely on a figure loom to produce intricate brocade fabrics.

Examples

  • Learning to operate a figure loom requires both technical skill and artistic sense.

  • The textile museum features a restored figure loom used in the 19th century.

  • The figure loom creates intricate designs.

  • She uses a figure loom for her textile projects.

  • Manufacturers often rely on a figure loom to produce intricate brocade fabrics.

  • Learning to operate a figure loom requires both technical skill and artistic sense.

  • The textile museum features a restored figure loom used in the 19th century.

Synonyms

figured-fabric loom
vsfigure loom
  • Specialized
9.6

A machine that weaves cloth with decorative patterns

is the general term for weaving patterned fabrics without naming a specific mechanism
Jacquard loom
vsfigure loom
  • Specialized
9.2

A machine for weaving cloth that makes complex patterns automatically

is broader referring to patterned weaving without implying automatic control
Jacquard
vsfigure loom
  • Specialized
9.9

A loom that controls each thread to weave complex patterns into cloth

is the broader concept for patterned fabric production rather than a thread control system

How Complex

power loom
  • Specialized
1 5.1
figure loom
  • Specialized
9.9
high-warp loom
  • Specialized
9.9
low-warp loom
  • Specialized
9.3
handloom
  • Specialized
6.4

Surface Forms

figure loom singular
figure looms plural

Morphology

figure + loom

The meaning is directly compositional: 'figure' (a pattern or design) + 'loom' (a weaving device) yields a loom for weaving figures/patterns. This noun+noun compound follows common English compounding patterns and is cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both words should be able to infer the meaning.

Etymology

Figure loom may come from the loom's job: the word figure means a 'small picture' or 'pattern' and the loom is the tool that weaves threads. This kind of loom lifts selected threads to 'draw' shapes in the cloth, so the name explains why it means a loom for 'patterned fabric'.