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warp and woof
noun
: foundation, base
the vigorous Anglo-Saxon base had become the warp and woof of English speech—H. R. Warfel
Synonyms
Examples of warp and woof in a Sentence
regards individual freedom and democracy as the warp and woof of any civilized society
Recent Examples on the Web
The rise and fall of nations is the warp and woof of international relations.
—Robert Kagan, Foreign Affairs, 6 Apr. 2022
But it’s part of the warp and woof of Dallas’ history.
—Dallas News, 22 Apr. 2022
Structure and process are the warp and woof of a successful business.
—Mark Sirkin, Forbes, 11 July 2022
Those years are sprinkled into the warp and woof of every life phase, from longer childhoods, to ‘emerging adulthoods’ to the quickly-multiplying phases of active adulthood and emerging elderhood.
—Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes, 1 Sep. 2021
Pat Tyler’s homespun frocks, as well as smart suits for the city slickers of Asheville, mesh beautifully with the warp and woof of the people of bluegrass country.
—Joanne Engelhardt, The Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2019
All that was needed was the warp and woof of speaker dresses, rather than the big loudspeakers on stage, which suddenly seemed so 20th century.
—Mark Swed, latimes.com, 18 Apr. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'warp and woof.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1842, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near warp and woof
Cite this Entry
“Warp and woof.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warp%20and%20woof. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
More from Merriam-Webster on warp and woof
Britannica English: Translation of warp and woof for Arabic Speakers
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