Dictionary

warp and woof en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) The threads in a woven fabric, composed of the warp (threads running lengthwise) and woof (threads running crosswise) to create the texture of the fabric.
2. (countable, figuratively, uncountable) The fundamental structure of any process or system.
   • … the “manifest destiny” theory that justifies the stealing of all territory contiguous to our own, and kindred topics, constitute the warp and woof of conversation. 1857, Hinton Rowan Helper, The Impending Crisis of the South: How to Meet It, page 406:
   • Honoria Lyddiard: I'll say good day. DCI Tom Barnaby: I'm sorry? Lyddiard: I'm a Lyddiard, as is my late brother's wife. Our name is woven into the very warp and woof of England. Above reproach. Pursue your inquiries elsewhere. DS Gavin Tony: Warp and what? Barnaby: Woof. 1998 March 29, Anthony Horowitz et al., “Written in Blood”, in Midsomer Murders:
   • He unconsciously uses the fitting word and phrase to designate the situation in which he finds himself, thus the fitting word and phrase, the well-chosen modifier and forcible verb become part of the warp and woof of his speech. 1907, National Education Association of the United States, Addresses and Proceedings, page 496:
   • The warp and woof of our lives, sensible, sensitive, a veritable 911, she was called upon whenever something went wrong. 2001, Ellen Perry Berkeley, Simi Berman, At Grandmother’s Table: Women Write about Food, Life and the Enduring Bond Between Grandmothers and Granddaughters, page 85:

Forms

Synonyms

foundation

Translations (13)

nl schering en inslag (threads in a woven fabric) · fi loimi ja kude (threads in a woven fabric) · it trama e ordito (threads in a woven fabric) · fi ydin (fundamental structure) · fi perusrakenne (fundamental structure) · fi kulmakivi (fundamental structure) · fi tuki ja turva (fundamental structure) · id lungsin dan pakan (threads in a woven fabric) · ar لُحْمَة وَسَدَاة (fundamental structure) · fa-ira تار و پود (threads in a woven fabric) · ar لُحْمَة وَسَدَاة (threads in a woven fabric) · he שְׁתִי וָעֵרֶב (threads in a woven fabric) · fa-ira تار و پود (fundamental structure)