el estampado

Definition & meaning

The word estampado refers to a design, pattern, or figure that has been printed or impressed onto a surface, typically fabric, paper, or metal. It can function in two primary ways:

1. As a noun (m.): It refers to the design or pattern itself that is printed on a material (e.g., "The fabric has a floral print"). It also describes the process or action of printing or stamping something.
2. As an adjective: It describes an object or garment that possesses a printed pattern or design. For example, a "vestido estampado" is a patterned dress, as opposed to a solid-colored one.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

• It is the past participle of the verb estampar ↗, functioning as an adjective or a noun.
• As a noun, it is masculine (el estampado).
• As an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies (e.g., camisa estampada, pantalones estampados).

Origin: The word comes from the verb estampar, which is derived from the Old Italian stampare, likely originating from the Germanic root stamp, meaning to strike or beat. It refers to the pressure used to imprint a design onto a surface.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• Impreso ↗: Printed.
• Grabado ↗: Engraved or imprinted.
• Dibujo ↗: Drawing or design.
• Motivo ↗: Motif or pattern.

Antonyms:

• Liso ↗: Plain or smooth (referring to fabric without a pattern).
• Liso ↗ often contrasts directly with estampado in the fashion industry to describe solid-colored textiles.