arras

¹

[ar-uhs]

noun

1. a rich tapestry.

2. a tapestry weave.

3. a wall hanging, as a tapestry or similar object.

4. Theater.,  a curtain suspended loosely across a stage and used as a backdrop or part of a stage setting.

arras

²

[ahr-ahs, ahr-rahs]

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. a gift presented at marriage by a husband to his wife in consideration of her dowry.

Arras

³

[ar-uhs, a-rahs]

noun

1. a city in and capital of Pas-de-Calais, in N France: battles in World War I.

Arras

¹

/ arɑs, ˈærəs /

noun

1. a town in N France: formerly famous for tapestry; severely damaged in both World Wars. Pop: 40 590 (1999)

arras

²

/ ˈærəs /

noun

1. a wall hanging, esp of tapestry

Other Word Forms

• arrased adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Arras¹

1375–1425; late Middle English, named after Arras

Origin of Arras²

< Spanish: literally, earnest money. See earnest ²

Example Sentences

The four men all died in 1917 during the Battle of Arras and were identified through DNA testing.

From BBC

Last October, a teacher was killed during an attack at a school in the northern city of Arras.

From BBC

Pride Of Arras, the Dante Stakes winner at York trained by Ralph Beckett, was backed into second favourite for the Derby at 4-1 but could only finish 17th although stablemate Stanhope Gardens was fifth, just behind French contender New Ground.

From BBC

He succeeded in escaping a PoW camp at Arras in France.

From BBC

He met Lluvia Arras, L.A.-based author of “A Kids Book About Blended Families,” when their sons were playing soccer together.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• drapery