The spelling of the word "felted" is derived from its root word "felt", which refers to a fabric made by compressing and matting fibers together. The "-ed" at the end of "felted" indicates the past tense form of the verb "to felt". In IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription, "felted" is pronounced /ˈfɛltɪd/. The stress falls on the first syllable, and the "e" sound is pronounced as in "red". The "t" sound is pronounced clearly at the end.
Felted is an adjective that describes an object or material made from wool or other animal fibers that have been processed by applying heat, moisture, and pressure. This process causes the fibers to interlock closely, creating a dense and matted fabric known as felt. Felted items can be found in a variety of forms, such as clothing, accessories, upholstery, and crafts.
The process of felting generally involves three main steps: agitation, heat, and moisture. Agitation is typically achieved by rubbing, rolling, or pressing the fibers together, causing the scales on the surface of the hairs to open up and lock into one another. Heat and moisture are often applied concurrently to further facilitate this bonding process. These processes can be done by hand, machine, or with the assistance of special tools.
Felted materials showcase several desirable characteristics, including durability, insulating properties, and resistance to tearing or fraying. The compact nature of felted fibers also makes them resistant to water, creating a natural water-repellent quality in the material. Additionally, felted fabrics are often known for their ability to retain their shape and resist stretching or shrinking.
Felted items have a long history and have been utilized for various purposes by different cultures throughout time. From traditional clothing, such as hats and boots, to contemporary applications like home decor and art pieces, felted products continue to be appreciated for not only their functionality but also their aesthetic appeal.
Worked into felt.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "felted" comes from the English word "felt", which originated from Old English "filt" or "fealt". It is believed to derive from the Proto-Germanic word "feltaz", which ultimately traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*pel", meaning "to beat" or "to flutter". The process of felting involves matting or pressing fibers together, usually through heat, moisture, and pressure, to create a sturdy fabric known as felt.