▪ I. strass1
(stræs)
[a. G. strass, F. stras (Dict. Acad. 1762); said to be from the name of the inventor, Josef Strasser.]
A vitreous composition used as a basis in the manufacture of artificial stones: = paste n.1 5.
| 1820 Ann. Reg. *453/1 What is technically called ‘Strass’, and which forms the basis and body of all artificial stones. 1844 E. A. Parnell's Appl. Chem. II. 44 The variety of glass known by the name of Strass [foot-n. So called from the name of its German inventor], which is used as a general colourless basis for factitious gems, on account of its remarkable lustre. 1876 ‘Ouida’ In Winter City vi, She threw them all into the shade as a rose diamond throws stars of strass. |
| attrib. 1908 Ladies' Field 4 Apr. 197/1 Strass ornaments imitating peacock's feathers. |
▪ II. strass2
(stræs)
[a. F. strasse, in Cotgr. estrace, estrasse, ‘raw silk thats so ruffled, or tangled, as it cannot be wound’, ad. It. straccio.]
1. (See quot.) rare.
| [1858 Simmonds Dict. Trade, Strasse (French), the waste or refuse of silk in working it up into skeins.] 1875 Knight Dict. Mech., Strass..2 (Silk.) The refuse of silk in the process of working into skeins. |
2. A kind of waxed straw with a silky appearance, used for dress trimmings, etc.
| 1926 Westm. Gaz. 10 Mar. 7/3 Raspberry red strasse (a sort of waxed straw) was made into rosettes for a trimming on one black frock. 1927 Daily News 8 Apr. 2/2 Beneath the large strass-trimmed finish to the belt in front fell a full panel of white georgette trimmed with strass. |