from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Moir'e \Moi`r['e]"\ (mw[aum]`r[=a]"; m[=o]"r[=a]), n.
1. A watered, clouded, or frosted appearance on textile
fabrics or metallic surfaces.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
2. Erroneously, moire, the fabric.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
3. A wavy pattern of lines produced by the superposition of
two patterns having closely spaced, often curved, lines,
so that the lines of the two patterns intersect at an
acute angle. When the superposing patterns are moved
relative to the observer or relative to each other, a
shimmering effect is produced in which the apparent
pattern changes, often producing a pleasing artistic
effect. The effect may be seen, for example, when the
superposed folds of a sheer fabric, such as a window
curtain, are observed with transmitted light.
Syn: moire pattern.
[PJC]
4. (Printing) An interference pattern produced by the dots of
a color printing process.
[PJC]
{Moire antique}, a superior kind of thick moire.
[1913 Webster]