1. Toile de Jouy: This is the most common meaning of "toile." It refers to a specific type of printed fabric that originated in France in the 18th century. Toile de Jouy is characterized by its white background and intricate, often pastoral, designs printed in a single color, usually blue, red, or black. The designs frequently depict scenes from mythology, literature, and everyday life.
2. Toile as a Verb: This meaning refers to the act of making a small-scale drawing of a design, often used in the context of fashion design. The purpose of a toile is to test the fit and proportions of a garment before it is cut in the final fabric.
3. Toile in Interior Design: In this context, "toile" refers to a type of wallpaper that features similar designs to the fabric toile de Jouy.
4. Toile in Art: Toile can also refer to a canvas or other material used for painting. It's usually used in the context of discussing the history or materials used in a particular artwork.
So, the specific definition of "toile" depends on the context of its use.