smocking means an embroidery technique in which the fabric is gathered and then embroidered with decorative stitches to hold the gathers in place; the product of the use of this embroidery technique. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 90 out of 100.
smocking is pronounced /ˈsmɒkɪŋ/.
Etymology
From smock + -ing.
noun
- An embroidery technique in which the fabric is gathered and then embroidered with decorative stitches to hold the gathers in place; the product of the use of this embroidery technique.“Mr. Hudson […] preaches in his surplice. We see no reason why all clergymen should not do likewise. This donning and undonning, this white dressing and black smocking which one sees in so many churches, is a piece of stale nonsense; […]”