Texture, Textile and Text Are All Woven
Texture is the feel of a surface. The word comes from weaving, and so do text, textile and context.
Texture is the feel or appearance of a surface. The Latin *texere*, to weave, produced a remarkable set of English words: *textile* is woven cloth, *text* is words woven together, *context* is what is woven around them, and *subtle* comes from a phrase meaning finely woven.
- The feel of a surface. *A rough texture.*
- The structure of a substance. *The texture of the bread.*
- The quality of a piece of music. *A dense orchestral texture.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | texture | A smooth texture. |
| Plural | textures | Contrasting textures. |
| Adjective | textured | Textured paper. |
| Related | textile | Textile mills. |
| Related | context | In context. |
How it is used in a sentence
- The sauce has a grainy texture.Food.
- The wall has a textured finish.Decorating.
- The texture thins in the second movement.Music.
The weaving family
- Textile — woven cloth
- Text — words woven together
- Context — what is woven around a passage
- Pretext — something woven in front as a cover
- Subtle — from *subtilis*, finely woven
From Latin *textura*, a web or structure, from *texere*, to weave. The same root gives *architect*, from a Greek word for a master builder, through a shared ancient stem for making.
Are text and textile related?
Yes. Both come from the Latin verb to weave. A text is a weaving of words, a textile a weaving of threads.
What does texture mean in music?
How the parts combine: a single line, a melody with accompaniment, or several independent lines woven together.