[Origin uncertain: it is not clear whether the word was orig. sb. or adj.
If adj., it may have been a corruption of F. tiré drawn; cf. Ger. gezogener Sammet ‘drawn velvet.’]
A. sb. 1. The loop raised in pile-weaving (PILE sb.5 3) left uncut; also short for terry fabric, terry-velvet, etc., see
β. 1784. J. Bennett, Patent Specif., No. 1437. The Prince’s everlasting union pearl or terry. Ibid. The silk and mohair, pearl or terry, or wove, to float as a sattin.
1853. Ure, Dict. Arts, I. 380. (Carpet weaving) Inserting a tag or wire to form the rib or terry.
1861. Abridgm. Spec. Patents, Weaving, Index, 1093. Terries raised on weft.
1879. Webster, Suppl., Terry, 1. A kind of heavy silk and worsted material used in upholstery. 2. Heavy red poplin for ladies’ dresses.
1882. Howells, Annie Kilburn, xi. The furniture was in green terry.
2. In rope-making, An open reel.
1877. in Knight, Dict. Mech. (Perh. not the same word.)
B. adj. Of pile-fabrics: Looped, having the loops that form the pile left uncut, as terry pile, terry velvet (in F. velours épinglé). Also, Of or pertaining to such a fabric.
1835. Ladies’ Cabinet, Jan., 64. The new ones [hats] are composed of … plain velvet, and Terry velvet. Ibid., Feb., 202. A toque of pink terry velvet.
1851. Mech. Mag., 5 April, 278/2. Joseph Burch…. For improvements in printing terry and pile carpets [etc.]…. Patent dated September 28, 1850.
1853. Ure, Dict. Arts, I. 380. The fabric produced will be plain or unornamented, with a looped or terry pile.
1878. Barlow, Hist. Weaving, 210. Both cut and terry velvets are now woven in power looms.
C. Comb., as terry-ribbed adj., terry-weaving.
1885. Girl’s Own Paper, Jan., 202/1 The majority are made of terry-ribbed silk.
1907. Macm. Mag., Jan., Notes, 19/2. New sections on terry weaving, the automatic supply of weft to looms, and warp stop motions, have been added.
