n.
A crisp, smooth, plain-woven fabric with a slight sheen, made of various fibers, such as silk, rayon, or nylon, and used especially for women's garments.
adj.
Made of or resembling this fabric.
[Middle English, from Old French taffetas, from Old Italian taffetà, from Turkish tafta, from Persian tāftah, silk or linen cloth, from past participle of tāftan, to twist, spin.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
