What does fullery mean?
A fullery is a place where cloth is thickened or fulled to give it a thicker, more textured appearance. This process involves beating or compressing the cloth with heavy rollers, often in a noisy and chaotic environment. The term 'fullery' is often used in historical or technical contexts to describe this process, which was a key part of the medieval textile industry. In modern times, the term is less commonly used, but it remains an important part of the history of textile production. The fullery was a key part of the town's economy, and its products were highly prized for their quality and durability. The process of thickening or fulled cloth is still used today in some niche textile industries, but the term 'fullery' is largely relegated to historical or technical contexts.
nounA fullery is a place where cloth is thickened or fulled, typically by beating or compressing it with heavy rollers, to give it a thicker, more textured appearance.
- A place where cloth is thickened or fulled.
"The medieval fullery was a key part of the town's textile industry."
"The fullery was a noisy and chaotic place, with workers beating the cloth with heavy rollers."
"The town's fullery was famous for producing high-quality woolen cloth."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of fullery
The word 'fullery' is derived from the Old English word 'fulgere', which means 'to thicken or compress'. This word is itself derived from the Proto-Germanic word '*fulgiz', which is also the source of the Modern English word 'fulge'. The term 'fullery' has been used in English since the 14th century to describe the process of thickening or fulled cloth.
How fullery is actually used
The term 'fullery' is often used in historical or technical contexts to describe the process of thickening or fulled cloth. It is less commonly used in modern textile production.