shəˈnēl, esp before pause or consonant -ēəl noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, literally, caterpillar (so called from the appearance of the cord), from Latin canicula, diminutive of canis dog; from its hairy appearance — more at hound
1.
a. : a wool, cotton, silk, or rayon yarn with pile protruding all around made by weaving a cloth with warp threads about soft filling threads and cutting it into narrow strips that are used especially for tufting and fringes
b. : a pile-face fabric made with a filling of this yarn and commonly used for curtains, bedspreads, and rugs
c. : an imitation of this yarn or fabric
2. also chenille plant : an East Indian herb ( Acalypha hispida ) having long pendent spikes of crimson flowers resembling pieces of chenille