n. & adj.
--n.
1. a closely woven fabric of silk, cotton, etc., with a thick short pile on one side.
2 the furry skin on a deer's growing antler.
3 anything smooth and soft like velvet.
--adj. of, like, or soft as velvet.
Phrases and idioms:
on velvet in an advantageous or prosperous position. velvet glove outward gentleness, esp. cloaking firmness or strength (cf. iron hand).
Derivatives:
velveted adj. velvety adj.
Etymology: ME f. OF veluotte f. velu velvety f. med.L villutus f. L villus tuft, down