2 syllables: Pic, ot. Stress on Pic.
PIK-aht
/ˈpɪkɑt/
Picot is pronounced PIK-aht (/ˈpɪkɑt/). It has two syllables (Pic-ot), with the stress on "Pic". Picot is a small, decorative stitch used in lace-making and embroidery, named for its specialized looping technique. It also denotes a delicate edging formed by this stitch. The term is used in textile contexts and may appear in fashion or craft discussions. Accuracy in pronunciation helps distinguish it from similar sewing terms and French loanwords.
nounPicot is a small, decorative stitch used in lace-making and embroidery, named for its specialized looping technique. It also denotes a delicate edging formed by this stitch. The term is used in textile contexts and may appear in fashion or craft discussions. Accuracy in pronunciation helps distinguish it from similar sewing terms and French loanwords.
"The lace collar featured a tiny picot edge that caught the light beautifully."
"She demonstrated how to create a picot stitch along the neckline of the blouse."
"The pattern notes specify a picot chain to achieve a decorative finish."
Pronounce as /piˈkoʊ/ or /piˈkɒ.toʊ/ depending on region; the primary stress sits on the second syllable. In American usage you’ll often hear /piˈkoʊ/, with a long o at the end. In UK/AU, it can be /piˈkɒt/ or /piˈkoʊt/; keep the final vowel crisp. Mouth position: start with a short 'pi' then a stressed 'cot' or 'kohl' sound, lips rounded slightly for the o, tongue relaxed. For audio reference, search for “picot pronunciation” on pronunciation apps and dictionaries to compare world recordings.
Common errors include misplacing the stress on the first syllable (pronouncing /ˈpiːkɒ/) or shortening the final syllable into a weak schwa. Another pitfall is blending the final -cot with an ambiguous vowel, producing /-kɒt/ without the clear /oʊ/ or /oʊt/ sound. To correct: keep the second syllable stressed as /koʊ/ or /kɒt/ depending on variant, and ensure a distinct, crisp final vowel; practice with 2–3 minimal pairs to stabilize the final syllable.
In US English, /piˈkoʊ/ with a clear long o at the end is common, sometimes /ˈpiːkɒt/ less frequent. UK/AU speakers may adopt /piˈkɒt/ or /piˈkoʊt/, with less rhoticity affecting vowel quality slightly and a crisper final consonant in non-rhotic contexts. The key is the stressed second syllable and a distinct, rounded or tense final vowel depending on the speaker. Listening to regional dictionaries will help map the precise vowel shifts.
The difficulty lies in the subtle vowel quality of the final syllable and the need for consistent, small edge-stitch articulation. The transition from the unstressed first syllable to the stressed second requires precise tongue height with a careful lip rounding for the final vowel. Additionally, regional variants may shift the final vowel from /oʊ/ to /ɒ/ or /ə/, which can mislead learners. Focus on a clean vowel in the final syllable and stable consonant release.
Picot ends with a short, crisp vowel that is easy to blur if you merge it with the preceding /k/ release. The trick is to separate the /k/ release and the final vowel, so you hear a clear /koʊ/ or /kɒt/. The word’s French origin influences the rounded quality of the final vowel in some speakers, making the second syllable sound almost like ‘coh’ or ‘cot’ depending on dialect. Practice by isolating the final syllable with slow tempo then speed up.
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Picot comes from French picot, diminutive of piquer meaning 'to prick' or 'to pierce'. The lace and embroidery sense originated in European textile crafts, where small, decorative loops or pricks were used to form tiny projections along edges. The word entered English usage through fashion and craft lexicons in the 18th–19th centuries, paralleling other French lace terms like crochet and filet. Its precise formation—an edge loop or small bump—reflects traditional European lace techniques, where artisans emphasized neat, evenly sized picots as a mark of refinement. Over time, picot was generalized to describe any small decorative loop or point along a fabric edge, beyond its strict lacework origins. The term remains closely associated with trimming and ornamental detailing in textiles and fashion catalogs today.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Picot" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Picot" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Picot"
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