embroider

Etymology

From Middle English embroudren, frequentative of embrouden, from Anglo-Norman embrouder, intensive of brosder, brouder (compare Norman broudaïr), from Gothic *𐌱𐍂𐌿𐌶𐌳𐍉𐌽 (*bruzdōn), blend of *bursta (“bristle”) and *brordōn (“to stitch”) (compare Old High German brortōn). More at bristle and brad.

verb

  1. To stitch a decorative design on fabric with needle and thread of various colours.
  2. (figurative) To add imaginary detail to a narrative to make it more interesting or acceptable.

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