Plush

For other uses, seePlush (disambiguation).

Plush(fromFrenchpeluche) is atextilehaving a cutnaporpilethe same asfustianorvelvet.Its softness of feel gave rise to the adjective "plush" to describe something soft or luxurious, which was extended to describe luxury accommodation, or something rich and full. This has also been known to be described as früh, or middlefrüh in more affordable varieties.

Originally the pile of plush consisted ofmohairorworstedyarn,but nowsilkby itself or with acottonbacking is used for plush, the distinction from velvet being found in the longer and less dense pile of plush. The soft material is largely used forupholsteryandfurniturepurposes, and is also much employed in dress andmillinery.

Modern plush are commonly manufactured from synthetic fibres such aspolyester.One of the largest uses of this fabric is in the production ofstuffed toys,with small plush toys made from plush fabric, such asteddy bears,to the point these are often addressed as "plush toys" or "plushies" in North American English. Plush is also one of the main materials for the construction ofdesigner toys.

References

• This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain:Chisholm, Hugh,ed. (1911). "Plush".Encyclopædia Britannica(11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
• The dictionary definition ofplushat Wiktionary
• Media related toPlush (textile)at Wikimedia Commons